sternly

[sturn-lee] / ˈstɜrn li /

ADVERB

seriously

Synonyms

STRONGEST

actively earnestly passionately sincerely vigorously

STRONG

gravely

WEAK

all joking aside cool it cut the comedy determinedly down fervently for real in all conscience in all seriousness in earnest intently purposefully resolutely sedately simmer down soberly solemnly straighten out thoughtfully with a straight face with forethought with sobriety zealously

Antonyms

WEAK

casually funnily lightly minor trivially

ADVERB

severely

Synonyms

STRONGEST

acutely badly critically dangerously extremely firmly markedly painfully seriously sharply sorely strictly

STRONG

gravely hard

WEAK

hardly intensely rigorously roughly with an iron hand

Antonyms

STRONGEST

mildly

WEAK

compassionately lightly

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.

“You know, your shoes cost more than you gave, and you know it,” she said sternly.

From Los Angeles Times

When I floated the fantasy of what would happen if I tracked her whereabouts, my mother sternly shut that down.

From Salon

Invoking psychological causes “doesn’t make the laws of physics go away,” Hossenfelder sternly informed me.

From Scientific American

“No talking to other men,” he said sternly.

From Los Angeles Times

“I was not for Paris doing that show,” Ms. Hilton said sternly.

From New York Times