questioningly

questioningly — adverb

1. with a look, tone, or gesture that suggests you are not sure something is correc

1.adverbB2
Definition

with a look, tone, or gesture that suggests you are not sure something is correct or that you expect someone to explain further.

Example

Anong looked at her brother questioningly when he said the meeting had been cancelled.

adverb at end of clause

Questioningly, the teacher tilted her head as the student gave a confusing answer.

fronted adverb before the main clause

Common collocations
  • look at someone questioningly
  • raise an eyebrow questioningly
  • glance questioningly
  • pause questioningly
  • ask questioningly
  • tilt one's head questioningly
Synonyms
  • skeptically

    focuses on active disbelief rather than a neutral request for information; stronger negative connotation

  • doubtfully

    emphasises personal uncertainty rather than a question directed at someone else

  • quizzically

    adds a mildly amused or teasing tone; narrower in register

  • inquiringly

    stresses the desire for an answer more than the doubt; slightly more formal

Antonyms
  • unquestioningly

    describes acceptance without any doubt or hesitation — the opposite attitude

Usage Note

Typically modifies verbs of looking, asking, or reacting — such as look, glance, ask, raise (an eyebrow), pause, or tilt (one's head). Often describes facial expressions or gestures rather than direct speech.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: adverb/1

All four words describe an attitude of uncertainty, but they differ in focus and tone. Skeptically carries the strongest sense of active disbelief — you doubt that something is true or reliable. Doubtfully is closer to personal hesitation: you are unsure what to believe or do. Quizzically adds a hint of mild amusement or curiosity, often appearing with gestures like a tilted head or raised eyebrow. Inquiringly is the most neutral and forward-looking: it expresses a desire for information rather than doubt. For a simple facial expression that says 'Is that really true?', questioningly fits best. For 'I do not believe that', use skeptically. For 'How odd and interesting', use quizzically.

skepticallydoubtfully ↗quizzicallyinquiringly

Common collocations

Phrases

  • look at someone questioningly
  • raise an eyebrow questioningly
  • glance questioningly at something

Etymology

LatinOld FrenchEnglish

Formed in English by adding the adverb suffix -ly to the present participle questioning, from the verb question (to ask or doubt). The verb question came into English from Old French questionner, which is based on Latin quaestio ('a seeking, inquiry'), from the root quaerere ('to ask, to seek'). The sense of 'expressing doubt' developed in the 1800s, as the verb question itself came to mean 'to doubt or challenge' rather than just 'to ask'.