quizzically

adverb

Definition of quizzicallynext
as in incredulously

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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 quizzically 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 From lambs with quizzically cocked eyebrows, to lambs whose wooly coats are made of flower petals, to lambs that simply defy description. — Deena Prichep, NPR, 4 Apr. 2026 Lines of hundreds of guests snaked around the inside of the department store (which takes up an entire city block in Manhattan), with onlookers snapping photos quizzically. — Anika Reed, USA Today, 13 Sep. 2025 Daedone looked at me quizzically. — Thessaly La Force, New Yorker, 29 Aug. 2025 Mills looked at her quizzically. — Raechal Shewfelt, EW.com, 8 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for quizzically
  1. incredulously
  2. questioningly
  3. hesitantly
  4. askance
  5. suspiciously
  6. skeptically
  7. doubtfully
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
  • 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
Definition of questioningly
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
  • 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
  • America’s war aims in Iran have never exactly been crystal clear, but, by almost any measure, the status quo looks suspiciously like failure.
    — MSNBC Newsweek, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Nov. 2026
  • Ronny Yordrix Guanipa Chrinos Department of Homeland Security Secret Service officers observed the suspect acting suspiciously in his vehicle and approached him while he was parked on Constitution Avenue, DHS said.
    — News Editor, CBS News, 7 Nov. 2026
Definition of suspiciously
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
  • Premiering in 2027, Season 20 wrapped production earlier this fall, meaning the finale will doubtfully give fans closure for the show.
    — Glenn Garner, Deadline, 1 Nov. 2026
  • But in this case, the story is very doubtfully true.
    — David Frum, The Atlantic, 21 May 2026
Definition of doubtfully

Browse Nearby Words

quizzical
quizzically
quizzing
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Cite this Entry

“Quizzically.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/quizzically. Accessed 12 Nov. 2026.

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