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Glite Dictionary
doubtfully

doubtfully

4 3.8
In a way that shows you are not sure and have little confidence
  • adverb
  • /ˈdaʊt.fəl.i/
translation icon : dudablemente
  • "Yes sir, I'll ask," she said doubtfully, and left him to wait alone.
  • said doubtfully
  • looked doubtfully
  • asked doubtfully

Examples

  • The diet club members stared, first at him, and then doubtfully at one another, and then at Pat.

    Fiction book (1994)

  • As he left, he glanced back at her doubtfully, as if he worried she wouldn't follow instructions.

    Fiction book (1995)

  • I think perhaps you better phone first." "All right," I said doubtfully.

    Fiction book (1992)

  • What did he do, just run away suddenly?" Alan asked, doubtfully.

    Fiction book (1996)

  • "Would you mind taking this for me?" He regarded it doubtfully.

    Fiction book (1999)

  • "How about some tea for the lady?" Fleur looked at Diana doubtfully.

    Fiction book (1996)

  • "There was a long pause as the ministers glanced at each other doubtfully."

    Fiction book (1993)

  • "I could try a different setting," said Alok, doubtfully, "Might tone it down a couple of notches?"

    Blog text (2)

  • Can you fix it?" I peered doubtfully at the creature in Tegan's hands.

    Fiction book (1998)

  • "He glanced at the proposal doubtfully, unsure if it would meet the requirements."

Synonyms

tentatively
vsdoubtfully
30 5.1

In a way that shows hesitation or not being sure

expresses simple lack of confidence rather than cautious provisional action
uncertainly
vsdoubtfully
11 4.0

Act or speak in a way that shows you are not sure

has identical meaning and is used the same way
skeptically
vsdoubtfully
  • US
8 4.4

Showing doubt that something is true

expresses uncertainty as low confidence rather than active disbelief
dubiously
vsdoubtfully
3 6.7

In a way that shows doubt or little trust

expresses uncertainty without implying suspicion or distrust
questionably
vsdoubtfully
1 6.1

In a way that seems dishonest or not trustworthy

expresses personal uncertainty rather than judging something's legitimacy
unsurely
vsdoubtfully
4.1

In a way that shows someone is not sure

focuses on uncertain feelings rather than instability or wobbliness

Antonyms

confidently
36 2.9

In a way that shows a person is sure and not afraid

How Certain

certainly
∞ 1.0
probably
∞ 1.0
skeptically
  • US
8 4.4
doubtfully
4 3.8
uncertainly
11 4.0

Surface Forms

doubtfully positive

Morphology

doubtfully = doubtful (transparent) = doubt + ful + ly

Standard adverb formation from the adjective 'doubtful' by adding '-ly' to indicate manner.

Etymology

Doubtfully comes from doubt, which originally links to the idea duo meaning 'two', like being 'of two minds' about a choice. So doubtfully describes doing something with 'uncertainty' or a lack of confidence.