Dictionary.com
Thesaurus.com
Synonyms

pointedly

American  
[poin-tid-lee] / ˈpɔɪn tɪd li /

adverb

  1. in a marked, emphasized, or particularly directed fashion.

    Many media outlets are reporting on the incident—but pointedly avoiding showing the images at the center of the story.

    When a conference was convened to discuss a policy of settling environmental battles through negotiation, the Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance pointedly was not invited.


Etymology

Origin of pointedly

pointed ( def. ) + -ly

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

She pointedly reminded angry commentators that Homer’s epic is fiction.

From Salon • May 24, 2026

But this time, they pointedly clenched their fists into tight balls to avoid touching one another.

From BBC • May 19, 2026

And Wall Street has pointedly refused to be flustered by the conflict in recent weeks, particularly after excitement over robust corporate earnings.

From Barron's • May 11, 2026

You and your husband, Ed Harris, kind of pointedly did not stand or applaud during a standing ovation.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 19, 2026

“And if it is up to Vikus, soon we will have no baskets to give,” the girl said pointedly to the bearded man who had turned his focus to Gregor and Boots.

From "Gregor the Overlander" by Suzanne Collins

Vocabulary.com logo
by dictionary.com

Look it up. Learn it forever.

Remember "pointedly" for good with VocabTrainer. Expand your vocabulary effortlessly with personalized learning tools that adapt to your goals.

Take me to Vocabulary.com