sternly

American  

[sturn-lee] / ˈstɜrn li /

adverb

1. in a firm, strict, or austere way.

   Unless the government sternly cracks down on the underground economy, citizens will never pay their taxes diligently.

2. in a harsh, severe, or grim way.

   Any baker caught mixing sawdust with bread or butcher selling horse meat as beef was immediately and sternly punished.

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Etymology

Origin of sternly

First recorded before 1000; stern ¹ ( def. ) + -ly ( def. )

Example Sentences

Faithful ally Eric Nam sternly points out to him that his rants are throwing off everyone else’s game.

From Salon • Jan. 15, 2026

But Mr. Lanthimos’s vision is sternly compelling, and “Bugonia” is that exceptional movie that’s extremely hard to forget.

From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 23, 2025

Emmanuel Macron, the French president, sat sternly throughout the start of the meeting before echoing Merz’s call.

From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 18, 2025

Coastal areas were both better prepared and more sternly warned, even though the potential for deadly flooding inland was also forecast days in advance.

From Slate • Jul. 24, 2025

Now he looked down sternly, gathering his thoughts.

From "The Birchbark House" by Louise Erdrich

Related Words

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