WordGarden.iointerrogatively
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Meanings
Adverb
in a questioning or inquiring way
as or with the force of an interrogative grammatical form
Beyond the definition
Imagine a detective in a movie. They do not just say things, do they? They raise an eyebrow and speak in a way that clearly asks for an answer. This adverb describes the way someone speaks, looks, or acts when they seem to be asking a question. It often refers to tone of voice or body language that shows a question is there. You might glance interrogatively at a friend after they tell a strange story, silently asking for more details. It is not only about asking directly; it is also about sounding or looking as if an answer is expected.
"Interrogatively" describes how something is done in a questioning manner—like an unspoken inquiry hanging in the air. As an adverb, it modifies verbs by describing how an action is performed. While we often associate "interrogation" with a formal, intense questioning process (like in a police station), "interrogatively" usually applies to much more subtle social cues.
It is not simply about vocalizing a question; it is about presenting a look, a statement, or even a silence in a way that implies a question is being considered. For example: "She stared interrogatively at the locked door, wondering who had entered." This doesn't mean she literally asked the door a question; rather, it means her gaze was full of unspoken inquiry and curiosity.
You will also see it used to describe a person's speech patterns. "He raised an eyebrow and spoke interrogatively" suggests his tone implied he doubted what he was being told or was seeking confirmation. It is a somewhat formal word, most often found in literature or descriptive writing where capturing nuance is important. In everyday conversation, you are more likely to hear someone say "she looked questioningly" than "she looked interrogatively." Ultimately, if something is done interrogatively, it carries the weight of a question, inviting further explanation or revealing doubt.
Examples
- 1
Questioning look
Mark looked at me interrogatively, and I realized I had left out the most important detail.
- Usage
Mostly used in written descriptions, often with "look," "glance," or "raise an eyebrow."
- 2
Skeptical reaction
She raised her eyebrows interrogatively when the manager announced a "small change" to the schedule.
- 3
Nonverbal question
The child pointed interrogatively at the locked door, waiting for someone to open it.
See also
Similar
Shades of meaning
Contrast
- declaratively
- imperatively
Used with (collocations)
- look interrogatively
- raise an eyebrow interrogatively
- speak interrogatively
Word family
Explore
- interrogative mood
- question intonation
Forms and spellings
1 form open this card.
Main spelling
- interrogativelyadverb