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woodenly

woodenly

1 7.3
In a stiff, awkward way that shows no feeling
  • adverb
  • /ˈwʊdənli/
translation icon : de manera rígida
  • During the meeting, he nodded woodenly, his face betraying no feelings.
  • stared woodenly
  • stood woodenly
  • said woodenly

Examples

  • The actor portrayed the character woodenly, lacking any depth or expression.

  • Call us a committee of public-spirited citizens." "You'd be in trouble if the Teleks caught wind of you," said Geskamp woodenly.

    Fiction book (1992)
  • "It would still be a marriage of state," he said woodenly.

    Fiction book (2001)
  • A doorman watched them woodenly, his hands behind his back.

    Fiction book (1998)
  • "Maybe he never did it." Kempton sits down woodenly and silently.

    Fiction book (1995)
  • Doctor Hebert glanced at the two slaves, who stood as woodenly as they had behind the dinner table.

    Fiction book (1993)
  • He stares woodenly forward.

    Fiction book (1990)
  • The main character of the film is Matt Eckert, a white all-American football player played woodenly by a doleful Josh Peck.

    Blog text (14)
  • Their feet turned out in classic ballet position, their expressions stark like those of pantomime figures, and their arms gesticulating woodenly; Burger and Htzel are formally linked but do not seem to interact.

    Academic text (2003)
  • Charlotte delivered her lines woodenly, showing no emotion as she spoke.

Synonyms

awkwardly
vswoodenly
38 2.7

In a clumsy or uncomfortable way, often showing nervousness around other people

is ungainly too but more rigid and lacking expression
stiffly
vswoodenly
25 4.4

In a way that is not relaxed, often because of pain or to seem formal

is rigid too but emphasizes lack of expression and flexibility
clumsily
vswoodenly
12 2.8

In an awkward way that shows little skill or control

is uncoordinated too but adds a rigid, expressionless quality
stiltedly
vswoodenly
1 8.8

In a stiff, formal way that does not feel natural

is formal too but more expressionless and inflexible
ungracefully
vswoodenly
1 4.8

In an awkward, clumsy way that is not smooth

is ungraceful too but adds stiffness and lack of feeling
gracelessly
vswoodenly
1 6.5

In an awkward or clumsy way

is similar but highlights stiffness and limited expression
lumpily
vswoodenly
7.2

In a heavy, clumsy way that makes movement feel awkward

is heavy too but stresses stiffness and lack of expression
lumpishly
vswoodenly
  • Archaic
9.3

To move in a slow, heavy, and awkward way

shares heaviness but is more rigid and expressionless
cloddishly
vswoodenly
  • Informal
9.1

In a clumsy or awkward way

is dull too but emphasizes inflexibility and no expression

Antonyms

56 2.8

In a smooth and beautiful way that looks controlled

1 3.7

In a way that shows feelings and thoughts clearly

How Expressive

gracefully
56 2.8
naturally
114 1.0
awkwardly
38 2.7
woodenly
1 7.3
robotically
3 6.1

Surface Forms

woodenly positive

Morphology

woodenly = wooden (semi-transparent) = wood + en + ly

The adverb is formed regularly from 'wooden' with '-ly', but the sense is partly metaphorical rather than a fully literal 'in a wooden way'.

Etymology

The word woodenly comes from wooden, which comes from wood, the hard material from trees, and the ending -ly makes it an adverb. Think of a wooden puppet or statue that cannot move or show feeling, so to act woodenly is to act 'stiff' or 'awkward' and without natural expression.