questioningly

adverb

Definition of questioninglynext
as in quizzically

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of questioningly Espinoza responded, holding up his hands questioningly. — Jason Meisner, Chicago Tribune, 21 Jan. 2026 Bundhorol motioned to the direction of camp questioningly, then in the opposite direction, out into the empty grass. — Samantha Falewée, Condé Nast Traveler, 25 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for questioningly
  1. quizzically
  2. incredulously
  3. hesitantly
  4. doubtfully
  5. askance
  6. skeptically
  7. suspiciously
Adverb
  • Prosecutors put the photo up on a large screen in the courtroom, showing a bearded man in a black T-shirt in front of platters of food, glancing quizzically at the camera.
    — Jason Meisner, Chicago Tribune, 10 Sep. 2026
  • The pinniped pup looked around quizzically with large, black eyes before lumbering into the surf with abandon — as only the young can.
    — Lila Seidman, Los Angeles Times, 8 Sep. 2026
Definition of quizzically
Adverb
  • But, as Reyes fired back incredulously, no one from the government mentioned that in the previous hearings, one of which lasted seven hours.
    — Rachel Treisman, NPR, 30 Oct. 2026
  • My producer Harriet Taylor and I stood incredulously and watched cargoes of Putin’s gas steam into the Port of Rotterdam.
    — Brian Sullivan, CNBC, 1 Oct. 2026
Definition of incredulously
Adverb
  • In the public imagination, Housewives with a capital H are fame-hungry attention hogs who would rather throw the $400 bottle of Château Brane-Cantenac Margaux that’s sitting in front of us than sip it, as Cosby is hesitantly doing now.
    — Brian Moylan, Vulture, 16 Sep. 2026
  • Diane refuses, but April hesitantly makes the trip, only to learn that Theo — an artistic dilettante who lives in the city with his girlfriend, Lucy (Odessa A’zion) — has been lunching with Sandra behind her back.
    — Natalia Winkelman, Variety, 16 Sep. 2026
Definition of hesitantly
Adverb
  • But in this case, the story is very doubtfully true.
    — David Frum, The Atlantic, 21 May 2026
Definition of doubtfully
Adverb
  • Candidates and their backers also typically knock on doors to get signatures, but that’s not an option this year as people look askance at strangers on their doorsteps.
    — Patrick Marley, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 18 May 2020
  • True, lots of good white progressives look askance at businessmen who amass vast fortunes.
    — John Powers, Los Angeles Times, 28 Feb. 2020
Definition of askance
Adverb
  • Those are places where many voters look skeptically, even scornfully, upon big cities and the people who run them.
    — Bill Barrow, Los Angeles Times, 28 Oct. 2026
  • Treat any such composite skeptically until independent validation catches up.
    — Hanna Wickes, Miami Herald, 14 Sep. 2026
Definition of skeptically
Adverb
  • After months of dating rumors, suspiciously timed trips to Italy and a phone lock screen that seemingly gave the whole thing away, country music star Megan Moroney and USMNT soccer star Christian Pulisic are officially an item.
    — Amber Harding OutKick, FOXNews.com, 3 Nov. 2026
  • Yet new research provides compelling evidence that fringed jumping spiders (Portia fimbriata) experience two distinct sleep states, including one that looks suspiciously like the rapid eye movement (REM) sleep associated with our own vivid dreams.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 2 Nov. 2026
Definition of suspiciously

Browse Nearby Words

questioning
questioningly
questionings
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Cite this Entry

“Questioningly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/questioningly. Accessed 6 Nov. 2026.

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