blankly

[blangk-lee]

adverb

1. without expression or understanding.

   She stared blankly at her inquisitors.

2. in every respect; totally; fully.

   He blankly denied ever saying such a thing.

Word History and Origins

Origin of blankly¹

First recorded in 1815–25; blank + -ly

Example Sentences

He stared blankly at the judge as she spoke.

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The entire time the Lakers’ star guard just stared blankly ahead.

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Smoking a string of cigarettes or blankly watching whatever’s on television, her face a canvas of exhaustion and depression, Janice is struggling to pick up the pieces.

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SPOKANE, Wash. — The tenacious freshman stared ahead blankly, her eyes welling with tears, the losing USC locker room silent around her.

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She stared ahead blankly for nearly a minute as Blevins peppered her with cutting questions about whether she needed to apologize to Angelenos for being in Africa.

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