Fishily: meaning, definitions and examples

Best used to convey a sense of something being not quite right, often in a humorous or lighthearted manner.

• He looked at the offer fishily, wondering what the catch was.
• She glanced at the mysterious box fishily.

Best used when describing someone who is wary or distrustful about a situation or someone’s actions, can be either neutral or negative.

• She looked at the stranger suspiciously.
• His alibi was suspiciously convenient.

Appropriate for situations where there is doubt or uncertainty about something or someone, often in a more formal or neutral tone.

• He eyed the new policy dubiously.
• The audience reacted dubiously to the politician’s promises.

Usually implies underhanded or secretive actions, often with a negative connotation related to immoral or illegal activities.

• They conducted their business deals shadily.
• The man was known for his shadily earned wealth.