Doubtfully: meaning, definitions and examples

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doubtfully

[ˈdaʊtfəli ]

Definition

^{Context #1 | Adverb}

in a hesitant or uncertain manner

If you do something doubtfully, you do it in a way that shows you are not certain about it.

Synonyms

hesitantly, skeptically, uncertainly.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
doubtfully	Use 'doubtfully' when expressing something with skepticism or a lack of belief. It indicates uncertainty and a hint of suspicion. She looked at him doubtfully, unsure if he was telling the truth. He listened doubtfully to the explanation, thinking it might be a lie.
uncertainly	Use 'uncertainly' to describe actions or feelings that lack sureness or confidence. It indicates a state of doubt or indecision. He answered the question uncertainly, not sure if he was correct. She walked down the path uncertainly, not knowing if it was the right way.
hesitantly	Use 'hesitantly' when someone's actions or speech are marked by pauses or uncertainty. It reflects a lack of confidence or reluctance. "I’m not sure," she said hesitantly, afraid of giving the wrong answer. He reached out his hand hesitantly, unsure if he should proceed.
skeptically	Use 'skeptically' when questioning the truth or validity of something with doubt or mistrust. It often implies a critical or cynical attitude. He looked at the proposal skeptically, doubting its feasibility. She read the report skeptically, suspecting some inaccuracies.

Examples of usage

He nodded doubtfully, unsure if he agreed with the proposal.
She looked doubtfully at the strange food on her plate.
I doubtfully accepted the offer, not sure if it was the right decision.
The child approached the unfamiliar dog doubtfully, unsure if it was friendly.
We glanced doubtfully at the dark clouds gathering in the sky.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

The word comes from the Old French 'douter', which means to fear or to be uncertain.
It combines 'doubt', from Latin 'dubitare', which also means to hesitate or be uncertain.
The suffix '-fully' indicates the manner in which something is done, linking it to feelings of indecision.

Psychology

Doubt is an important part of critical thinking, enabling individuals to question and analyze information.
Feeling doubt can trigger anxiety, as the human brain often seeks certainty to feel safe.
Overcoming doubt can foster personal growth, pushing individuals to explore and confront their fears.

Literature

In literature, characters expressing doubt often undergo significant development, leading to tension in the plot.
Doubt creates complexity in stories, contributing to themes of identity and moral ambiguity.
Authors like Shakespeare have masterfully depicted doubt through characters like Hamlet, whose indecision reflects deeper existential dilemmas.

Philosophy

Doubt has been a central theme in philosophical discussions, particularly in skepticism and existentialism.
Rene Descartes famously began his philosophical inquiries by doubting everything he thought he knew, leading to the famous conclusion, 'I think, therefore I am.'
In philosophy, doubt is seen not necessarily as a weakness, but as a catalyst for deeper inquiry and understanding.

Pop Culture

Songs and films often explore themes of doubt, highlighting emotional struggles in relationships, like in Taylor Swift's lyrics where doubt plays a critical role in her storytelling.
Doubt is frequently portrayed in movies, adding tension as characters face difficult decisions or unknown outcomes.
Reality TV shows often showcase contestants grappling with doubt about their chances to win, adding to viewer engagement and drama.

Translations

Translations of the word "doubtfully" in other languages:

🇵🇹 duvidosamente

🇮🇳 संदेहपूर्वक

🇩🇪 zweifelnd

🇮🇩 ragu-ragu

🇺🇦 сумнівно

🇵🇱 wątpliwie

🇯🇵 疑わしく

🇫🇷 douteusement

🇪🇸 dudosamente

🇹🇷 şüpheyle

🇰🇷 의심스럽게

🇸🇦 بشك

🇨🇿 pochybně

🇸🇰 pochybne

🇨🇳 怀疑地

🇸🇮 dvomljivo

🇮🇸 efast

🇰🇿 күдікпен

🇬🇪 ეჭვით

🇦🇿 şübhə ilə

🇲🇽 dudosamente

Word Frequency Rank

Positioned at #20,778, this word is part of extensive vocabulary. It's relatively rare in general usage but may be important in specific fields or formal writing.

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20775 leveraged
20776 telephony
20777 contaminating
20778 doubtfully
20779 patrician
20780 undisclosed
20781 conciliate
...