Definitions

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.

Sternly handsome, he resembles a noir version of Paul McCartney.

From Washington Post • Feb. 13, 2017

Sternly he put the question: did they fully understand the terms they had signed?

From Time Magazine Archive

Sternly the man next to him replies: "To Waterloo."

From Time Magazine Archive

Sternly the Prime Minister warned that because of the passport violation, Koskotas might have to go to jail.

From Time Magazine Archive

Sternly she bade the slave bring her a battle-ax.

From "Mythology: Timeless Tales of Gods and Heroes" by Edith Hamilton