woodenly
- adverb
- /ˈwʊdənli/
- 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
In a clumsy or uncomfortable way, often showing nervousness around other people
In a way that is not relaxed, often because of pain or to seem formal
In an awkward way that shows little skill or control
In a stiff, formal way that does not feel natural
In an awkward, clumsy way that is not smooth
In an awkward or clumsy way
In a heavy, clumsy way that makes movement feel awkward
To move in a slow, heavy, and awkward way
In a clumsy or awkward way
Antonyms
How Expressive
Surface Forms
Morphology
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.