vacantly

/ˈveɪkəntli/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈveɪkəntli/ (ame, ipa)

vacantly — adverb

1. with an empty expression or manner that suggests no clear thought or attention.

1.副詞C1
釋義

with an empty expression or manner that suggests no clear thought or attention.

例句

After the long meeting, Eli stared vacantly at the cold coffee.

stare vacantly

On the bus home, Brooke looked vacantly out the rain-streaked window.

look vacantly at something

同義詞
  • blankly

    focuses on a face or expression that shows no feeling or reaction

  • absently

    suggests the mind has wandered, often without the same empty facial look

  • dazedly

    adds a stronger sense of confusion or shock

  • expressionlessly

    focuses on no visible feeling, not always on lack of thought

反義詞
  • attentively

    shows focused interest and active attention

  • alertly

    suggests quick awareness of what is happening

文法句型

stare vacantly

look vacantly at something

smile vacantly

nod vacantly

用法筆記

Usually used with verbs such as look, stare, smile, or nod when a person's face seems empty or mentally far away. It often suggests tiredness, shock, boredom, or distraction rather than active attention.

常見錯誤

❌The guard watched the screen vacantly for two hours.
✅The guard watched the screen attentively for two hours.
💡vacantly suggests a lack of real attention, so it clashes with careful watching.
❌The crowd cheered vacantly after the final goal.
✅The crowd cheered wildly after the final goal.
💡vacantly suggests emptiness or no clear response, not excited support.