archness

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

She is played with archness and authority and hip-swinging sass, shot through with vulnerability, by Clare Perkins, who has traded in those red stockings for a cold-shoulder dress and some very high heels.

From New York Times • Apr. 6, 2023

Now, they are buzzing with memes, videos and messages of congratulation, but also a strain of sceptical archness.

From BBC • Oct. 24, 2022

If you’re worried that your manner might betray your anxiety, practice adopting a slightly artificial archness of tone, so you have something to focus and distract you.

From Slate • Sep. 24, 2020

Naturally, I also became familiar with Kenny’s cinematic pet peeves and inevitably adopted a few of them myself: phoniness, archness, empty formalism, nihilistic violence, willfully irritating characters.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 3, 2020

Despite the archness of his tone—which normally would have irritated me—there was a melancholy undernote in his voice.

From "The Secret History" by Donna Tartt