He felt not the slightest doubt in his mind that this was the girl who had written him, and, having given an order to the waiter, he started to study her face as unobtrusively as possible.
Source: wiktionary
Unobtrusively
/ˌʌn.əbˈtɹuː.sɪv.li/
Synonyms for "unobtrusively" (18 found)
Ranked by relevance and common usage.
Closest matches (4)
Strong matches (5)
Related words (9)
Choosing the right synonym
- Closest matches in this entry: decently, discreetly, do not disturb, gracefully, humbly.
- Sentence evidence is available for unobtrusively, so synonym choice can be checked against real usage rather than a flat word list.
- Ranking signals come from derived_reverse, opengloss.
Synonym selection checklist
- Match the part of speech before comparing meanings.
- Check whether the synonym changes intensity, formality, or emotional tone.
- Read the replacement inside the full sentence, not just beside "unobtrusively".
- Prefer the clearest word over the most unusual word when writing for speed or comprehension.
When not to replace "unobtrusively"
Keep "unobtrusively" when the sentence already sounds natural, when a synonym would add unintended emphasis, or when readers need the most familiar wording. A synonym should clarify or sharpen the message, not simply make the sentence look more varied.
If two options seem close, choose the one that best matches the audience and purpose of the sentence.
Replacement workflow
1. Preserve meaning
Choose a synonym only if it keeps the core idea of "unobtrusively" intact in the sentence you are editing.
2. Tune tone
Check whether the replacement sounds more formal, casual, emotional, technical, or forceful than the original word.
3. Re-read context
Read the full sentence after the swap. Keep the synonym only when the sentence becomes clearer or more precise.
Review note: Synonym lists are ranked with lexical data and reviewed for practical writing value. Use the comparison notes, sentence evidence, and source labels together; a high-ranking synonym can still be wrong when the audience, register, or grammar changes.
Final fit check
After choosing a replacement for "unobtrusively", read the sentence once for meaning and once for rhythm. The best synonym should feel natural in the full sentence, not only accurate in a word list.
If the synonym makes the sentence slower, vaguer, or more dramatic than intended, keep "unobtrusively" or choose a simpler alternative from the closest-match group.
Related word relations
OpenGloss and ConceptNet supply richer edges like generalizations, collocations, and derivations.
More general
2 entriesadverbmanner adverb
More specific
4 entriesCollocations
5 entriesdiscreet observationlow profileminimal intrusionquiet placementsubtle impact
Derivations
2 entriesAntonyms
1 entriesSample sentences
4 total sentences available.
Sometimes she and Miss Baker talked at once, unobtrusively and with a bantering inconsequence that was never quite chatter, that was as cool as their white dresses and their impersonal eyes in the absence of all desire.
Source: wiktionary
Eudemis moved hastily but as unobtrusively as he could through the gaping crowd[.]
Source: wiktionary
Most of the old fishermen's cottages have been unobtrusively modernised, the harbour is busy with summer yachts, and the sands are superb.
Source: wiktionary
Common questions
What are the closest synonyms for "unobtrusively"?
Closest matches include decently, discreetly, do not disturb, gracefully, humbly.
How should I check whether a synonym fits "unobtrusively"?
Compare the replacement against real sentence context. This entry includes sample sentences so you can check tone, grammar, and meaning before swapping words.