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teasingly

teasingly

3 3.7
In a playful way that makes someone laugh or feel a little annoyed
  • adverb
  • /ˈtiːzɪŋli/
translation icon : en tono burlón
  • "I promise not to tell him your weakness," the ship continued, teasingly.

Examples

  • "Now hold on just a cotton-picking minute," my Roberta teasingly challenged.

    Fiction book (1997)
  • "I'm a career gal, like Mother," Liberty would say teasingly, to cover a certain lack of direction in her life.

    Fiction book (1996)
  • "Do I have to?" she asked teasingly, but the only response she received was a slight attempt at a smile.

    Fiction book (1991)
  • "You'll know by the signs," she said teasingly, but I was too tired to play.

    Fiction book (1990)
  • I remember her mischievous eyes, teasingly studying mine to see if I had not changed teams yet.

    Blog text (12)
  • Karen, his wife, used to teasingly tell him that in a previous incarnation he must have been a polar bear.

    Fiction book (1992)
  • When she moved in, he had said only half-teasingly, "I can already see the day you'll move out."

    Fiction book (1999)
  • "You clown," she commented teasingly at Paul's antics.

    Fiction book (1999)
  • Chesnut's friends teasingly called her Cassandra for her gloom, but Cassandra, after all, was right.

    Academic text (2003)
  • He teasingly poked fun at his friend's new haircut, making everyone laugh.

Synonyms

jokingly
vsteasingly
27 2.0

Said or done as a joke and not meant seriously

focuses more on provoking or mocking to amuse or annoy
playfully
vsteasingly
18 1.4

In a fun, teasing way

is more focused on provoking or mocking a person lightly
mischievously
vsteasingly
3 4.6

In a playful way that causes small trouble to make people laugh

is more about teasing a person directly rather than causing trouble
devilishly
vsteasingly
2 7.2

In a playful, slightly naughty way that shows mischief

is milder and more lighthearted, not wicked or deeply mischievous
archly
vsteasingly
1 7.9

In a playful, teasing way that shows sly amusement

is more openly provocative and teasing rather than merely sly
cheekily
vsteasingly
  • Informal
1 6.2

In a rude but playful way that shows little respect

is less rude and more gently playful when provoking someone
flirtatiously
vsteasingly
1 6.2

In a playful way that shows romantic interest in someone

is about teasing or mocking for amusement, not romantic attraction
kiddingly
vsteasingly
1 3.6

To say or do something in a joking way without being serious

leans more toward light provocation that can mildly annoy
impishly
vsteasingly
1 6.7

To act in a playful and slightly naughty way that seems friendly

targets playful mockery more than charming bold mischief
roguishly
vsteasingly
1 7.3

In a playful way that breaks small rules to make people laugh

aims more at provoking or mocking someone than charming mischief
tauntingly
vsteasingly
  • Offensive
1 7.5

In a way that makes fun of someone to upset them

is lighter and more playful, aiming to tease rather than hurt
jocularly
vsteasingly
1 7.1

In a joking way to make people laugh

is more focused on provoking someone rather than pure humour
puckishly
vsteasingly
1 9.6

To act in a playful and slightly naughty way

focuses more on teasing someone verbally than small daring acts
coquettishly
vsteasingly
1 9.5

Acting in a playful way to attract someone's attention

focuses on playful provocation for fun rather than romantic attention
banteringly
vsteasingly
  • Informal
7.7

In a playful, teasing way that shows you are joking

is more about playful provoking rather than structured friendly banter
jestingly
vsteasingly
6.4

In a joking way that is not serious

adds an edge of teasing or mild mockery beyond mere joking
waggishly
vsteasingly
  • Literature
7.7

In a playful joking way to make people laugh

has a sharper aim to tease or lightly mock rather than just joke

Antonyms

1.6

In a way that shows you mean what you say

How Mocking

tauntingly
  • Offensive
1 7.5
mockingly
9 5.6
teasingly
3 3.7
playfully
18 1.4

Surface Forms

teasingly positive

Morphology

teasingly = teasing (transparent) = tease + ing + ly

Formed regularly from 'tease' -> 'teasing' -> 'teasingly'; the adverbial meaning is directly predictable from the base.

Etymology

Teasingly comes from the verb tease, which once meant 'to pull' or 'tug' at something, like playing with a loose thread. So to act teasingly is to give a light, playful pull at someone's feelings to make them smile or react.