Understanding what 'askance' means and how it colors everyday language.

What does the term 'askance' mean?

• A. With approval
• B. With suspicion
• C. With trust
• D. With certainty

Answer: (B)

The term 'askance' refers to observing or considering something with skepticism or suspicion. When someone looks askance at a situation or person, they are typically doubtful or wary about it. This usage often involves a critical or disapproving glance or attitude, suggesting that the observer does not fully trust or believe in what they are seeing or hearing. In contrast, the other options involve positive or affirmative connotations—such as approval, trust, or certainty—which are not consistent with the definition of 'askance.' Understanding this term aids in interpreting nuances in language, particularly in contexts where skepticism plays a crucial role in communication.

Askance: a sideways glance that says more than a thousand words

If you’ve ever scanned a transcript or watched a courtroom scene unfold, you know language isn’t just about what’s said. It’s about how it’s said. One little word can carry a ton of nuance. Take the term askance. It’s a classic for reporters, copy editors, and anyone who wants to catch the shade in a statement—the moment a speaker’s confidence wobbles, or a claim is met with doubt.

What does askance mean, exactly?

Here’s the quick, practical version: askance means looking at something with suspicion or doubt. The phrase often appears as a verb phrase—looked askance at something—or as a noun-adjective pairing, like a look that’s “askance.” In plain terms, it’s a sideways glance that signals you don’t fully buy what you’re seeing or hearing.

In a multiple-choice moment from the nerdier corners of language quizzes, you might see a prompt like:

What does the term 'askance' mean?

A. With approval

B. With suspicion

C. With trust

D. With certainty

The right answer is B—With suspicion. The word is designed to convey skepticism without fully rejecting what’s in front of you. It’s a subtle stance, not a full-blown accusation.

How this shows up in real life (and why it matters to reporters)

When you’re making sense of statements, numbers, or testimonies, a look can be as telling as a paragraph. “Looked askance” isn’t about being dramatic; it’s about signaling a doubt that could color how a story unfolds. For reporters and court reporters, catching that nuance helps preserve the texture of a moment. It’s not just what was said, but how it landed.

Think about a few everyday scenes where you might hear or read this word:

• A spokesperson presents a chart, and the listeners look askance at the numbers, because a few data points don’t quite fit the narrative. The phrase helps readers sense that not everyone is buying the graph at first glance.

• In a courtroom, a witness offers a claim, and the attorney looks askance at it—not with anger, but with a careful skepticism that invites closer scrutiny of the evidence.

• A city council member touts a policy, and fellow council members glance askance, hinting at behind-the-scenes questions that can shape how the issue moves forward.

The beauty of “askance” is its restraint. It doesn’t demand drama; it invites readers to feel the hesitation, to notice the moment when confidence starts to wobble. And that’s a powerful tool for evaluative writing, whether you’re annotating a transcript, crafting a report, or analyzing a statement in the newsroom.

Nuance over synonyms: how askance sits among related words

If you’re building a mental dictionary for your reporting toolkit, it helps to tuck a few close cousins next to askance. Each nudges the reader toward a slightly different shade of doubt.

• Suspicious: More direct doubt, often with a hint of motive or deceit. “The auditor cast a suspicious eye at the numbers” suggests active doubt about accuracy or intent.

• Skeptical: A measured doubt, open to evidence but not easily convinced. “The analyst remained skeptical until the data aligned” conveys a thoughtful, cautious stance.

• Wary: A practical caution or reluctance, usually out of concern for risk or consequences. “The official gave a wary nod” implies guarded cooperation.

• Disbelieving: A stronger, more vivid sense of disbelief, sometimes bordering on incredulity. “The crowd looked disbelieving when the claim was announced.”

Askance sits closest to suspicious and skeptical, but with a sideways, almost literary tilt. It’s less about labeling a person as untrustworthy and more about capturing a moment where trust isn’t fully earned yet.

A quick memory aid (so you don’t forget)

If you picture it, it helps a lot: imagine someone turning their head just a touch to the left or right, chin tilted, eyebrows a touch raised, as they listen to a claim. That sideways glance—the pause before a verdict—is the essence of askance. A simple cue, but one that instantly conveys “I’m not buying this without a closer look.”

Where writers and reporters tend to spot it

• In transcripts: A witness’s statement might be followed by a note that the interpreter or observer looked askance at the claim. That small cue can guide later readers to re-check the supporting documents.

• In feature storytelling: A profile piece may use “looked askance” to depict how a subject questions a status quo or resists a well-worn story.

• In business or investigative reporting: An executive’s numbers can be met with an askance glance from auditors or rivals, signaling a moment worth deeper digging.

A few sample sentences to anchor the sense

• The defense attorney looked askance at the chart, as if the numbers had been shuffled to fit the narrative.

• She glanced askance at the memory, a fleeting doubt crossing her face before she spoke again.

• The witness’s description of the event was met with eyes that looked askance—not hostile, just carefully skeptical.

• When the sponsor announced the forecast, the board members looked askance, whispering questions beneath their breath.

• Journalists often notice when officials answer with a smile and a shrug, yet a subsidiary voice in the room looks askance—that tension is where truth sometimes hides.

Note how the mood changes depending on the subject and the delivery. The same sentence can feel almost playful in one context and methodical in another. That versatility is what makes askance a useful term for reporters who want to capture not just what happened, but how it was perceived at the moment.

A few more nearby terms to keep handy

• Looked askance at: a reliable phrase you’ll see in transcripts or articles.

• Cast a wary eye: similar vibe, a bit more cautious and forward-looking.

• Cast doubts on: more active, pointing toward a challenge to the claim.

In practice, using “askance” with care pays off. It’s precise without being theatrical, sophisticated without becoming obscure.

Why this matters for NCRA professionals (and the value of nuance)

For anyone working with transcripts, captions, or courtroom notes, a dependable vocabulary is part of your professional toolkit. Words like askance help you:

• Convey mood without long explanations.

• Preserve the speaker’s posture or stance as you describe the moment.

• Provide readers with a richer sense of credibility—without stepping into judgment or over-interpretation.

There’s a discipline in balancing detail with clarity. You want readers to feel the moment the doubt arrives, not to be told exactly how to think about it. That balance is what makes language readable, trustworthy, and engaging.

A tiny check-in: quick memory quiz (no stress, just clarity)

• She looked __ at the figure, making it clear she questioned the claim.

• The numbers were met with a careful __ from the panel.

Answers: a) askance; b) skepticism or skeptical stance. If you filled those in with “askance,” you’re aligning with the sense of a sideways glance signaling doubt.

Connecting the word to broader storytelling

Language isn’t just a glossary; it’s a way to narrate human perception. Askance, with its sideways glance, reminds us that truth often wears a moment-by-moment expression. In the newsroom, the courtroom, or the quiet corner of a library, that expression can steer a story as surely as the headline does.

A word about tone and rhythm

Use askance when you want to thread a subtle emotional cue into your scene. It pairs well with short, punchy sentences that land hard, or with longer, reflective lines that let the reader linger on the moment. The trick is to let the sentence flow naturally—don’t force the emotion. A well-placed askance can be the hinge that makes a paragraph feel human, not clinical.

Relating to real-world practice, but in a human way

You don’t need to mythologize the moment when someone looks askance. It’s enough to notice it and give readers a language they can trust. That’s where a professional writer—whether you’re drafting a courtroom note, a feature story, or a research brief—adds value. The nuance doesn’t shout; it invites the reader to lean in, to consider the gap between what’s stated and what’s implied.

Final thought: words are part of the capture

Askance is more than a definition. It’s a small, precise tool that helps you chart the human edge of any scene. When you’re documenting or analyzing, those edges matter. They remind us that truth isn’t a single line; it’s a network of impressions, responses, and, yes, sideways glances.

If you’re building a vocabulary that serves you in the field, keep a mental file on askance. Picture the sideways glance, hear the cautious tone, and feel how that moment colors the story that follows. And as you read or write, ask yourself: where does a look like that show up in the material I’m shaping today? Sometimes the most telling detail is the one you don’t hear, but you do feel—the look that says, I’m watching this with a careful, guarded eye. That’s the essence of askance.