as in joking
marked by or expressive of mild or good-natured teasing
my puns are usually greeted with loud quizzical groans by my so-called friends
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Recent Examples of quizzical
Right from his beginnings with the Talking Heads, Byrne’s quizzical temperament has fueled a determination both to never resist change and to remain open to all kinds of external stimuli.
—
Chris Jones, Chicago Tribune, 26 Mar. 2026
When the film won, many in the media room at BAFTA turned to each other with a quizzical look.
—Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 22 Feb. 2026
With quizzical eyes upon it, Players Era announced that its checks ultimately cleared a couple weeks later, with most of the money routed through schools’ dedicated NIL collectives.
—Eben Novy-Williams, Sportico.com, 17 Feb. 2026
Baker initially shot Benard a quizzical look.
—Graham Womack, Sacbee.com, 3 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for quizzical
Chris Jones, Chicago Tribune, 26 Mar. 2026
When the film won, many in the media room at BAFTA turned to each other with a quizzical look.
—Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 22 Feb. 2026
With quizzical eyes upon it, Players Era announced that its checks ultimately cleared a couple weeks later, with most of the money routed through schools’ dedicated NIL collectives.
—Eben Novy-Williams, Sportico.com, 17 Feb. 2026
Baker initially shot Benard a quizzical look.
—Graham Womack, Sacbee.com, 3 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for quizzical
Recent Examples of Synonyms for quizzical
Adjective
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Shah’s closest ally (and the person most willing to call Shah on his lies to himself and others) is his cousin Zulfi, a gigantic character who Khan energizes with fast-talking charm, sarcastic asides, and an assessing glare that can cut through anyone’s defenses.—
Joe Reid,
Vulture,
29 May 2026
-
Yet another compared the look to Van Gogh, while others were more than ready to take Bieber up on her presumably sarcastic offer to accept appointments.—
Marci Robin,
Allure,
25 May 2026
Adjective
-
To get a sense of his whole deal, look no further than the half-mocking, half-earnest title of his latest album, Country!—
Jonathan Bernstein,
Rolling Stone,
23 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Quizzical.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/quizzical. Accessed 3 Jun. 2026.
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