inanely
1
7.3
- adverb
- /ɪˈneɪnli/
- They stared at the screen inanely as the movie played on without making any sense.
- inanely said
- grinning inanely
- inanely thought
Examples
-
I smile again inanely.
Fiction book (1999) -
"Having some trouble?" I asked inanely.
Fiction book (1997) -
" I need to rake the leaves again," I inanely said to my old friend.
Fiction book (2000) -
Eric continues babbling inanely in the background.
Fiction book (1992) -
Inanely, all she could think of to say was, "Do you still play the lute, Father?" The man bowed his head.
Fiction book (2001) -
He nodded, and grinning inanely, said, "He's the biggest baby in there."
Fiction book (1997) -
They sat in front of me, slumping or smirking or grinning inanely.
Fiction book (1995) -
He laughed inanely at the joke, not realizing it wasn't funny at all.
-
During the meeting, she inanely suggested the team take a break every five minutes.
Synonyms
28
3.0
In a way that shows bad judgment or not being smart
27
2.8
In a way that shows poor judgment
5
4.1
In a way that shows poor judgment
4
3.5
In a way that does not help or make any difference
4
4.3
In a way that has no purpose or use
3
6.3
In a very foolish way that shows bad judgment
1
7.5
Without thinking and showing little care for others
1
7.6
In a very foolish way that shows little sense
1
9.2
In a silly way that shows little understanding
1
7.0
Acting without thinking
1
7.0
In a way that shows poor thinking or little care
1
6.2
Speaks or acts in a joking way
1
8.6
In a way that shows little thought or understanding
1
8.1
In a foolish way to make people laugh
1
7.6
Behave in a silly, foolish way that seems a bit crazy
1
9.7
In a foolish way without much thought
Antonyms
How Silly
Surface Forms
Morphology
Etymology
The word inanely comes from the Latin word inanis, which means 'empty'. Imagine words or thoughts that are 'empty' — without real meaning — so to act or speak inanely is to behave in a silly, pointless way.