inwardly

[in-werd-lee]

adverb

1. in or on, or with reference to, the inside or inner part; internally.

2. privately; secretly.

   Inwardly, he disliked his guest.

3. within the self; mentally or spiritually.

   Look inwardly to discover the truth.

4. in low or soft tones; not aloud.

5. toward the inside, interior, or center.

inwardly

/ ˈɪnwədlɪ /

adverb

1. within the private thoughts or feelings; secretly

   inwardly troubled, he kept smiling

2. not aloud

   to laugh inwardly

3. with reference to the inside or inner part; internally

4. archaic,  intimately; essentially

   the most inwardly concerned of the plotters

Word History and Origins

Origin of inwardly¹

First recorded before 1000; Middle English inwardli, Old English inweardlīce; inward, -ly

Example Sentences

Cooper, do you see your character here as an extension of what you were doing in “Licorice Pizza”? It’s this guy who outwardly has a lot of game, but then inwardly is struggling.

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"I'm inwardly happy, but if there was a game next week it would be a tough review and there would be a lot of things to improve."

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"I probably didn't show it, but inwardly I was obviously very happy," he said.

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Byrne’s Beckett may be less austere, outwardly and inwardly, than the author’s prevailing image.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

The show had turned him into a celebrity and he received 10 million yen in compensation, but inwardly he still felt shattered and alone.

Read more on New York Times

Related Words

• internally www.thesaurus.com
• within