half-teasing

“Are you a bringer of drama, Ana Covington?” he said, half-teasing, half-serious.

Pure Sin Kate Brian 2010

“Do let us go more quickly, father; I can hear the drums,” the young girl said, and in a half-teasing, half-coaxing manner she urged her companion forward.

A Woman of Thirty 2007

I remember brief, half-teasing conversations between a couple of felines, one with black fur and one with grey, the way a pixelated interface could become real.

jaxraven Diary Entry jaxraven 2006

And Clifford, faintly smiling with a half-teasing superiority, saying to her:

Lady Chatterley's Lover 2004

Teammate Jeff Robinson is only half-teasing when he describes his road roommate as just about the most miserable person I've ever met in my life.

USATODAY.com - Tackle Zgonina is Rams' tough 2002

He was mean, that was more, Maria cried, half-teasing, half getting at him.

Twilight in Italy 2003

"After all," she had said to him, half-teasing, wholly serious, "if she attacks, I dont suppose a helmet will make much difference."

Dragons Of A Lost Star Weis, Margaret 2001

“Do you think any one man can wear you out!” he asked, half-serious and half-teasing.

The Pride of Hannah Wade Janet Dailey 1985

“Do you think any one man can wear you out!” he asked, half-serious and half-teasing.

The Pride of Hannah Wade Janet Dailey 1985

"Sorry to intrude," he said, in his usual half-teasing, halfinsulting manner, "but there's something I want your advice on, Nanny Merton."

Crime On the Coast Carr, John Dickson 1984