Inscrutably: meaning, definitions and examples

Use when describing an action or expression that is impossible to understand or interpret.

• She smiled inscrutably, leaving him unable to tell whether she was pleased or annoyed.
• The ancient text was written so inscrutably that even experts couldn't decode it.

Applies when describing something that is not fully understood or that invokes curiosity, often with a supernatural or eerie aspect.

• The lights flickered mysteriously, causing everyone to wonder if the house was haunted.
• A stranger mysteriously appeared at the village gate, sparking numerous rumors and speculations.

Appropriate when referring to something or someone that is puzzling or difficult to understand, often implying a sense of intrigue or mystery.

• He spoke enigmatically, leaving everyone in the room curious about his true intentions.
• The artist's work was admired enigmatically, each piece leaving viewers with more questions than answers.

Best used when something is so complex or unclear that it cannot be understood at all; often carries critical connotations.

• The instructions were written so incomprehensibly that we couldn't figure out how to assemble the furniture.
• She muttered something incomprehensibly as she walked away, leaving no one the wiser.