sinuously
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- Adverb:
- In a winding, curving, or twisting manner: Describes movement or shape that follows a path with many smooth bends and turns.
- In an indirect or devious manner: Can describe a non-straightforward course of action or thought.
Usage Examples
- Adverb:
- The river flowed sinuously through the valley. (The river moved in a winding, twisting path through the valley.)
- The dancer moved sinuously across the stage. (The dancer's movements were graceful, flowing, and full of curves.)
- The plot of the novel develops sinuously, full of unexpected twists. (The story progresses in a complex, indirect way.)
Advanced Usage
- Describing abstract concepts: "Sinuously" can be applied to non-physical things like arguments, narratives, or logic that are not direct.
- His essay argued its point sinuously, weaving through various historical examples.
- Emphasizing grace and fluidity: Often implies a smooth, elegant quality in the winding motion.
- The vine grew sinuously up the trellis.
Variants and Related Words
- Sinuous (adjective): Having many curves and turns; lithe and graceful.
- They followed the sinuous path through the forest.
- Sinuosity (noun): The quality of being sinuous; a curve or bend.
- The sinuosity of the coastline made for a beautiful drive.
Synonyms
- Windingly: In a winding manner.
- Tortuously: In a twisted or winding way (often implies greater complexity or difficulty).
- Meanderingly: In a leisurely, winding course (like a meandering river).
- Serpentinely: In a snake-like, twisting manner.
Antonyms
- Directly: In a straight line or manner.
- Straightly: In a straight line.
- Linearly: In a sequential, straight-line fashion.
Related Phrases / Idiomatic Use
- To move/wind sinuously: A common collocation describing the characteristic motion.
- The procession wound sinuously through the narrow streets of the old town.
- Sinuous logic/thought: Describes reasoning that is not straightforward.
- The philosopher's sinuous logic was difficult to follow but ultimately persuasive.