inwardly

American  

[in-werd-lee] / ˈɪn wərd li /

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.

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inwardly British  

/ 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

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Etymology

Origin of inwardly

First recorded before 1000; Middle English inwardli, Old English inweardlīce; see 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.

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 6, 2025

Ms Woods added Mr Skripal's presentation was “very odd” although he “remained effectively inwardly very stable”.

From BBC • Oct. 30, 2024

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

From New York Times • May 3, 2024

The empire changed enormously during Chinggis Khan’s reign, becoming more inwardly peaceful but also much more materialistic in its tastes.

From Textbooks • Apr. 19, 2023

I had always flinched inwardly from the lonely terror that I had thought I would feel in a strange city, and now I had found a home with friendly people.

From "Black Boy" by Richard Wright

Related Words

• internally
• within