Definition

1. 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.

Adverb

1. in a sinuous manner