to tsk

Examples

• All

• "Oh, my," she tsked.

  Fiction book (1998)

• But a sister got to do what a sister got to do," Gerri tsked.

  Fiction book (2001)

• Brenda tsked and then fell silent.

  Fiction book (1998)

• "You don't have any barrettes?" he tsked, speaking just above a whisper.

  Fiction book (2000)

• He opened his eyes wide at Greer, and she tsked, "Miss Dawson."

  Fiction book (1993)

• When she tsked, the disapproval just radiated off of her in waves, capable of dousing all life from a room.

  Fiction book (1998)

• When she saw the messy room, she tsked disapprovingly, wishing he would clean up.

• The teacher tsked at the students for not completing their homework on time.

• He tsked softly, shaking his head in disappointment after hearing the news.

Synonyms

G

to grunt

vsto tsk

355 4.2

To make a short low sound to show effort, pain, or dislike

is a quick tongue click instead of a guttural or effort sound

G

to grumble

vsto tsk

7 3.7

To make a long low sound like distant thunder

is a single sharp nonverbal click rather than a continuous rumbling noise

T

to tut

vsto tsk

3 9.6

Make a short, quiet sound with the tongue to show disapproval

is also a tongue click sound but more sharply used for mild reproach

G

to groan at

vsto tsk

1 4.1

Make a low sound or complain to show you are annoyed at something

is a brief sharp click rather than a drawn-out complaining sound

H

to humph

vsto tsk

• Informal

1 8.9

To make a short low sound to show disapproval or doubt

uses a higher, tongue-based click sound not a low voiced utterance

T

to tut-tut

vsto tsk

1 9.1

Make a short clicking sound with the tongue to show you do not approve

is a single sharp tongue click rather than a repeated clicking phrase

H

to hmph

vsto tsk

• Informal

9.9

To make a short sound to show annoyance or doubt

uses a bright tongue click sound instead of a low voiced noise

H

to humpf

vsto tsk

• Informal

9.9

To make a short sound to show annoyance or doubt

relies on a crisp tongue click rather than a low vocal noise

S

to sizz

vsto tsk

9.9

To make a sharp hissing sound to show disapproval

is a click-style sound rather than a hiss or sibilant noise

M

to mump

vsto tsk

• Archaic

9.9

To mutter complaints quietly so others cannot hear

is a clear nonverbal click rather than indistinct spoken murmuring

Antonyms

A

approval

220 1.0

A sign that someone thinks a person or thing is good

P

praise

161 1.0

Words or actions that show admiration for someone

How Disapproving

to scold

55 2.2

to tsk

• Informal

2 9.9

to tut

3 9.6

Surface Forms

Etymology