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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
  • Gulliver incredulously witnesses people attempting to extract sunbeams from cucumbers and turn excrement back into edible food.
    — Dónal Gill, The Dial, 8 Sep. 2026
  • Some people go so far as to repeat the nickname incredulously, or to make fun of it.
    — Jacobina Martin, Washington Post, 15 Aug. 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
  • Treat any such composite skeptically until independent validation catches up.
    — Hanna Wickes, Miami Herald, 14 Sep. 2026
  • No one can reliably do that, and any allocator or platform that implies otherwise should be treated skeptically.
    — Steven Brod, Forbes.com, 9 Sep. 2026
Definition of skeptically
Adverb
  • In Silent Hill 2, the game starts with James Sunderland reading a note from his dead wife, giving us a reason to move into this suspiciously foggy town.
    — Zackery Cuevas, PC Magazine, 21 Sep. 2026
  • As Kanter tells it, Sky owner Michael Alter alerted arena security that the former Boston Celtics and New York Knicks big man had suspiciously used a courtside ticket that wasn’t purchased in his name.
    — Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 14 Sep. 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 27 Sep. 2026.

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