askant

9.9

Looking to one side with doubt or suspicion

adjective
/əˈskænt/

Archaic

: desconfiado

She gazed askant at the stranger, uncertain whether to trust him.

Examples

They cast askant looks at each other when the secret was revealed.
She gave him an askant look when he suggested the idea.
His askant expression made his doubt about the plan obvious.
His askant gaze made her feel uncomfortable.
She gazed askant at the stranger, uncertain whether to trust him.
His askant expression made his doubt about the plan obvious.
They cast askant looks at each other when the secret was revealed.

Synonyms

questioning

vsaskant

8 3.9

Showing doubt or wanting to know more

usually includes a sideways glance as well as an attitude of doubt

sidelong

vsaskant

4 7.4

Angled toward one side, often used for looks or glances

is more specifically a sideways glance that shows doubt or envy

squinty

vsaskant

2 7.4

A sideways look that shows doubt or suspicion

emphasizes sideward direction together with doubt or suspicion

squint-eyed

vsaskant

1 8.1

Looking to one side in a way that shows doubt or envy

focuses more on the glance itself as a sign of suspicion

squint

vsaskant

1 7.4

Looking sideways in a way that shows doubt or envy

is about the same sideways look combined with emotional tone

asquint

vsaskant

Archaic

1 9.9

Looking to one side with doubt or suspicion

stresses the expressive doubt or envy behind the sideways look

Antonyms

straightforward

43 3.6

Someone who is honest and direct, not hiding anything

How Suspicious

distrustfully

1 5.6

askance

6 9.8

askant

Archaic

9.9

sidelong

4 7.4

Surface Forms

askant positive

Etymology

The word askant has the old prefix a- meaning 'on' and a part like slant, which means 'side' or 'tilt' and is like askew or aslant. So an askant look is a sideways or tilted glance, a look 'to one side' that often shows doubt or suspicion.