askance

Also a·skant

[uh-skans]

adverb

1. with suspicion, mistrust, or disapproval.

   He looked askance at my offer.

   Synonyms: suspiciously, skeptically

2. with a side glance; sidewise; obliquely.

askance

/ əˈskænt, əˈskæns /

adverb

1. with an oblique glance

2. with doubt or mistrust

Word History and Origins

Origin of askance¹

First recorded in 1520–30; earlier a scanche, a sca(u)nce; of obscure origin

Word History and Origins

Origin of askance¹

C16: of unknown origin

Idioms and Phrases

see look askance.

Example Sentences

Derek Muller, a Notre Dame law professor, looks askance at many of the cases that prosecutors have brought, suggesting the ballot box — rather than a courtroom — may be the better venue to litigate the matter.

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But prospective lenders began to look askance at First Brands’ earnings.

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The rest of the world looks askance at what we have done, and they, too, will pay a price.

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“Often, people look askance at victims who come forward with allegations years after a crime,” Boyarsky said in a statement.

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In their book, Passing on the Right, Jon Shields and Joshua Dunn noted that “conservative professors…look askance at the populism that has shaken up the Republican Party in recent years.”

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Related Words

• skeptically www.thesaurus.com
• suspiciously www.thesaurus.com