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doltishly

doltishly

9.7
In a foolish way without much thought
  • adverb
  • /ˈdoʊltɪʃli/
  • Offensive
translation icon : estúpidamente
  • He doltishly ignored the warning signs posted all along the path.

Examples

  • The mistake was made because she approached the problem doltishly, without thinking it through.

  • He doltishly spent all his money on cheap trinkets at the fair.

  • He doltishly agreed to the ridiculous proposal.

  • Why did she act doltishly during the meeting?

  • He answered the questions doltishly, showing that he hadn't studied for the exam.

  • She nodded doltishly, not understanding the complex instructions given by the teacher.

  • The child stared doltishly at the math problem, unable to figure out the answer.

Synonyms

foolishly
vsdoltishly
28 2.8

In a way that shows poor judgment

is the same core idea but often feels harsher or cruder
stupidly
vsdoltishly
24 3.0

In a way that shows bad judgment or not being smart

is the same idea but expressed with a more dated tone
naively
vsdoltishly
13 4.4

In a way that shows little experience and too much trust

focuses on stupidity or poor sense rather than simple inexperience
unwisely
vsdoltishly
5 4.1

In a way that shows poor judgment

centres on innate foolishness rather than unwise decision making
idiotically
vsdoltishly
  • Offensive
3 6.3

In a very foolish way that shows bad judgment

leans more toward simple foolishness rather than crude insult
inanely
vsdoltishly
1 7.3

In a silly way that has no real purpose

stresses lack of intellect or good sense rather than mere pointlessness
immaturely
vsdoltishly
1 4.0

In a childish way that shows poor control of feelings, actions, or thinking

is about plain foolishness and lack of sense rather than immaturity
brainlessly
vsdoltishly
  • Offensive
1 7.0

Acting without thinking

emphasizes foolishness as lack of sense rather than mere thoughtlessness
moronically
vsdoltishly
  • Offensive
1 7.6

In a very foolish way that shows little sense

is similar but can be milder and less insulting in tone
dumbly
vsdoltishly
1 7.5

Without thinking and showing little care for others

focuses more on foolishness and lack of intelligence than insensitivity
fatuously
vsdoltishly
  • Offensive
1 9.2

In a silly way that shows little understanding

is similar but points more to plain foolishness than smug silliness
vacuously
vsdoltishly
  • Formal
1 8.4

Acts without thought or understanding

highlights lack of sense or judgment rather than emptiness of thought
obtusely
vsdoltishly
  • Offensive
1 8.0

In a slow way that does not show understanding or care

centres on simple foolishness rather than slowness to grasp ideas
unintelligently
vsdoltishly
7.0

In a way that shows poor thinking or little care

focuses on the same lack of intellect rather than other faults
witlessly
vsdoltishly
  • Offensive
8.6

In a way that shows little thought or understanding

stresses plain foolishness and bad sense rather than absent awareness
sillily
vsdoltishly
8.1

In a foolish way to make people laugh

focuses more on true lack of intelligence rather than playful silliness
daftly
vsdoltishly
  • Informal
7.6

Behave in a silly, foolish way that seems a bit crazy

is stronger, indicating actual lack of intelligence rather than mild absurdity
injudiciously
vsdoltishly
  • Formal
8.4

Acting without good sense or careful thought

is about lack of intelligence itself rather than just poor judgment

Antonyms

112 2.3

To act with good sense and careful thought

28 3.7

In a smart way that shows good sense

How Stupid

idiotically
  • Offensive
3 6.3
stupidly
24 3.0
doltishly
  • Offensive
9.7
sillily
8.1
naively
13 4.4

Surface Forms

doltishly positive

Morphology

doltishly = doltish (transparent) = dolt + ish + ly

Formed by adding the adverbial suffix '-ly' to the adjective 'doltish', yielding a clear 'in a doltish manner' meaning.

Etymology

The word doltishly comes from the noun dolt, a word for someone slow or foolish, plus the adverb ending -ly. Think of dolt as like dull, so doltishly means doing something 'in a stupid or slow way'.