crookedly

Crookedly is an adverb derived from the adjective crooked. It describes performing an action in a bent, irregular, or non-straight manner, and in a figurative sense it can suggest dishonesty or unscrupulous behavior. When used for physical movement or posture, crookedly emphasizes deviation from a straight line or expected alignment. When used figuratively, it can imply acting in a morally dubious or questionable way.

Etymology and form: crookedly is formed by adding the adverbial suffix -ly to crooked, the standard way English converts adjectives to adverbs. The construction follows a common pattern in English, and the word has appeared in literary and general prose since medieval and early modern times as a descriptive option for both literal and metaphorical irregularity.

Usage and nuance: In descriptive writing, crookedly often conveys a visual or spatial sense, as in a branch that grows crookedly or a path that winds crookedly through a landscape. It can also describe a gaze, gesture, or action with an oblique or off-center quality: “She looked at him crookedly.” In figurative use, it may imply that someone acts crookedly or dishonestly, though this sense is less common and can feel strong or judgmental in some contexts.

Comparison and alternatives: For spatial sense, synonyms include obliquely, obliquely, aslant, or askew, depending on exact meaning. For moral sense, words like deceitful or unscrupulous are clearer; crookedly emphasizes manner as a whole rather than a single act.

See also: crooked, aslant, oblique, askew.