quizzical

adjective

ˈkwi-zi-kəl How to pronounce quizzical (audio)
Definition of quizzicalnext
as in joking
marked by or expressive of mild or good-natured teasing my puns are usually greeted with loud quizzical groans by my so-called friends

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 quizzical There won’t be any TikTok dances near Amen Corner, nor quizzical reels filmed with Jason Kelce under the Big Oak. — Gabriel Burns, AJC.com, 6 Apr. 2026 When the film won, many in the media room at BAFTA turned to each other with a quizzical look. — Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 22 Feb. 2026 With quizzical eyes upon it, Players Era announced that its checks ultimately cleared a couple weeks later, with most of the money routed through schools’ dedicated NIL collectives. — Eben Novy-Williams, Sportico.com, 17 Feb. 2026 Baker initially shot Benard a quizzical look. — Graham Womack, Sacbee.com, 3 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for quizzical
Recent Examples of Synonyms for quizzical
  1. sarcastic
  2. mocking
Adjective
  • Another way to say this is that, in place of the extensive self-announcements Plato allows his characters, Rochester substitutes his own summary judgements, his sarcastic imitations.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 6 July 2026
  • This is taken as evidence of his status, not a sarcastic criticism.
    — Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 2 July 2026
Definition of sarcastic
Adjective
  • To get a sense of his whole deal, look no further than the half-mocking, half-earnest title of his latest album, Country!
    — Jonathan Bernstein, Rolling Stone, 23 Sep. 2025
Definition of mocking

Browse Nearby Words

quizzes
quizzical
quizzically
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Cite this Entry

“Quizzical.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/quizzical. Accessed 17 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on quizzical

Nglish: Translation of quizzical for Spanish Speakers

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