darkly

American  

[dahrk-lee] / ˈdɑrk li /

adverb

1. so as to appear dark.

2. vaguely; mysteriously.

3. in a vaguely threatening or menacing manner.

   He hinted darkly that we had not heard the last of the matter.

4. imperfectly; faintly.

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Etymology

Origin of darkly

before 1000; Middle English derkly, Old English deorclīce (in figurative sense only). See dark, -ly

Example Sentences

But “No Other Choice,” a humane — and darkly comic — look at ugly things people can do when desperate felt like a potential breakthrough.

From Los Angeles Times

Qatar, Turkey and Egypt warned darkly about precedent.

From The Wall Street Journal

That’s the last time he was nominated for an Oscar for his darkly funny and emotional supporting turn as seduction guru Frank T.J.

From Los Angeles Times

In “One Battle After Another,” his darkly comic action-thriller, Leonardo DiCaprio plays Bob Ferguson, a former revolutionary who has spent years in hiding, raising his teenage daughter and trying to keep his past at bay.

From Los Angeles Times

“Everything—everything—about it is darkly hysterical,” she wrote.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• desperately
• sadly