Squintingly

Part of speech: adverb

Pronunciation: /ˈskwɪntɪŋli/

Definitions

1. In a style that involves narrowing one’s eyes to manage bright conditions, typically to improve clarity or to convey doubt
2. With a gaze marked by partially closed eyelids, often employed to lessen glare or scrutinize a situation
3. In a manner characterized by the partial closure of the eyes to reduce brightness, often used for enhancing focus or expressing uncertainty

Etymology: "Squintingly" is a plain formation: the verb "squint," with the adjective-forming suffix "-ing" turned into a participle, and then the adverbial suffix "-ly" added to describe the manner of an action. It means doing something with narrowed eyes, as in looking at a faraway sign or peering into bright sunlight. The verb "squint" itself carries the more colorful history. Its roots lie in the idea of looking obliquely or sideways, and the word has long meant something close to "looking askance." The adverb simply adds the sense of manner to that action, so someone who watches "squintingly" is glancing sideways or narrowing their eyes to see better.

Synonyms: narrowly, peering, straining, glancing, focusing

Antonyms: clearly, openly, directly, broadly, plainly