blankly

blankly — adverb

1. with an empty look, as if the person neither understands, cares, nor feels much.

1.副詞C1
釋義

with an empty look, as if the person neither understands, cares, nor feels much.

例句

Priya looked blankly at the map after the bus driver changed routes.

look blankly at + object

The child stared blankly at the maths question for a full minute.

stare blankly at + problem

同義詞
  • vacantly

    very close; especially common with staring or looking

  • expressionlessly

    focuses more on the face showing no emotion

  • woodenly

    suggests stiffness as well as lack of feeling

反義詞
  • expressively

    with clear feeling shown on the face or in movement

  • warmly

    with friendly or affectionate feeling

文法句型

look / stare / blink / smile + blankly

用法筆記

Usually describes a face, look, or small visible reaction such as staring, blinking, or smiling. Distinguish from sense 2: this sense is about expression, while sense 2 strengthens a refusal or denial.

常見錯誤

❌The room was blankly after the party.
✅The room was blank after the party.
💡'blankly' describes how someone looks or reacts; 'blank' is the adjective for things.
❌Nadia blankly the answer.
✅Nadia looked blankly at the answer.
💡this adverb needs a verb of looking or reacting.

2. to the fullest degree, used to make a refusal, denial, or rejection sound comple

2.副詞C1
釋義

to the fullest degree, used to make a refusal, denial, or rejection sound complete.

例句

The school blankly refused our request for an extra week to pay.

blankly refuse + request

Ravi blankly denied taking the missing lunch from the office fridge.

blankly deny + action

同義詞
  • completely

    the broad everyday intensifier; works in many more contexts

  • absolutely

    strong and direct; common in both speech and writing

  • flatly

    closer in reporting language, especially with refuse or deny

文法句型

blankly + refuse / deny / reject / rule out

用法筆記

Usually comes before verbs such as 'refuse', 'deny', 'reject', or 'rule out'. Common in reporting and formal writing; in everyday speech, 'completely' or 'flatly' is often more natural.

常見錯誤

❌The glass was blankly full.
✅The glass was completely full.
💡this sense is mainly used with refusals, denials, and similar statements, not ordinary adjectives.
❌I blankly like the film.
✅I really like the film.
💡this intensifying use is limited and does not fit most positive verbs.