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unsurely

unsurely

4.1
In a way that shows someone is not sure
  • adverb
  • /ʌnˈʃʊrli/
translation icon : inseguramente
  • Marie looked at Tony unsurely, her voice wavering as she asked for his opinion.

Examples

  • Cobb poses in his tux—proudly, unsurely.

    Fiction book (1994)
  • He chews the eraser for a beat, then begins to write, unsurely at first, then gradually.

    Fiction book (1996)
  • "Uh, yeah." Michael said unsurely.

    Fiction book (1998)
  • Marie, paling, looked unsurely at Tony.

    Fiction book (2001)
  • Reynolds peers unsurely at the tornado inside.

    Fiction book (1994)
  • She was holding her mother's arm, moving unsurely, as if caught off guard by the brightness of the day.

    Fiction book (1998)
  • He stands unsurely—does he knock?

    Fiction book (1994)
  • He walked unsurely across the room, glancing nervously at everyone around him.

  • As the interview began, she spoke unsurely, struggling to find the right words.

Synonyms

tentatively
vsunsurely
30 5.1

In a way that shows hesitation or not being sure

refers to plain lack of confidence or stability rather than careful testing
uneasily
vsunsurely
19 4.2

In a worried or uncomfortable way

is about lack of confidence or steadiness rather than emotional worry
hesitantly
vsunsurely
14 3.2

In a slow, unsure way because of doubt

focuses on general lack of confidence rather than the pauses themselves
uncertainly
vsunsurely
11 4.0

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

includes lack of physical stability as well as lack of confidence
doubtfully
vsunsurely
4 3.8

In a way that shows you are not sure and have little confidence

is about general lack of confidence or steadiness rather than disbelief
haltingly
vsunsurely
3 7.4

In a slow, unsure way with pauses

is about lack of confidence or steadiness rather than the broken flow
hesitatingly
vsunsurely
1 6.1

In a slow, unsure way that shows doubt

describes wider lack of confidence rather than temporary stopping
falteringly
vsunsurely
1 7.4

In a slow, unsure way that shows little confidence

is more general and not always physically unsteady
insecurely
vsunsurely
5.0

In a nervous way that shows little confidence

is broader, covering low confidence without self consciousness
waveringly
vsunsurely
7.5

With an unsteady, unsure voice or movement that shows doubt

is a general lack of confidence, not mainly trembling or shaking
hedgingly
vsunsurely
8.9

Speaks in a careful way that avoids a clear answer

is general lack of confidence rather than strategic avoidance of answers

Antonyms

36 2.9

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

19 4.7

Without any doubt and with confidence

How Certain

certainly
1.0
confidently
36 2.9
tentatively
30 5.1
hesitantly
14 3.2
unsurely
4.1
uncertainly
11 4.0
doubtfully
4 3.8

Surface Forms

unsurely positive
unsurelier comparative
unsureliest superlative

Morphology

unsurely = unsure (transparent) = un + sure + ly

The adverb is a regular formation by adding '-ly' to the adjective 'unsure', producing 'in an unsure manner'.

Etymology

Unsurely is built from un- ('not') and sure ('certain'), with -ly to show it is about how something is done. So, unsurely means 'in a not certain or confident way'.