wanly
- adverb
- /ˈwɑːnli/
- "My friend smiled wanly at the children."
- smiled wanly
- said wanly
- looked wanly
Examples
-
She wanly smiled as she watched the other children play, feeling too tired to join them.
-
As Dave sat down, he opened them and smiled wanly.
Fiction book (1991) -
"Well, someone has to keep things going," she said wanly.
Fiction book (1998) -
"Will you tell me how you know?" he smiled wanly.
Fiction book (1995) -
Bela turns and smiles wanly at Ed.
Fiction book (1994) -
Chuck smiled wanly and helped him up.
Fiction book (1994) -
"Hi." Laura smiled wanly at Ellen.
Fiction book (1994) -
Perkins smiled wanly and looked up at the sky.
Fiction book (1995) -
The foreman asked wanly, "Where've you been?"
Fiction book (1992) -
Rebecca smiled wanly, reluctant to be rescued from her cool respite and the marvelous parade.
Fiction book (2002)
Synonyms
In a way that shows little strength or energy
In a tired way that shows little energy
With little feeling or energy
In a weak way that shows little energy
In a sad, quiet way that shows someone is unhappy
In a weak way that does not seem believable
In a calm way that shows no strong feeling or interest
In a slow, relaxed way with little energy
In a boring way that shows little interest or energy
In a way that shows little energy or interest
In a way that shows little energy or interest
In a sleepy, not fully awake way
In a way that shows no energy or interest
In a weak, light way that shows little color or energy
In a boring, gloomy way that shows little energy
In a way that shows little interest
Move or act in a slow, relaxed way with little energy
Slowly and without energy
In a weak, pale way showing little energy
In a sad way that shows no hope
In a slow, heavy way that shows little energy
In a slow, tired way showing little energy
In a weak, quiet way that shows little confidence
In a dull, tired way that shows little energy
In a dull way without life or interest
In a slow, dull way because you feel sleepy, drunk, or shocked
In a way that shows only mild interest
In a pale, weak way with little energy
In a dull way that shows no interest
In a way that shows no energy or interest
Antonyms
How Weak
Surface Forms
Morphology
Etymology
The word wanly comes from the old word wan, which means 'pale' or 'weak'. So, to act wanly is to do something 'in a pale, tired, or weak way'.