sternly

[sturn-lee]

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.

Word History and Origins

Origin of sternly¹

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

Example Sentences

“Like a big sister who everyone ignores when cooing over the new baby,” she scolded herself sternly.

Read more on Literature

“Woof,” repeated Mama Woof, more sternly this time.

Read more on Literature

“I did not ask to buy your velocipede; I asked to borrow it,” she replied sternly.

Read more on Literature

“The Insider” details these events sternly but with evident reluctance.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

In a sternly worded statement before Friday’s vote, Councilmember Hugo Soto-Martínez wrote that the city attorney’s “position does not speak for the full City Council.”

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• acutely 
• badly 
• critically 
• dangerously www.thesaurus.com
• extremely 
• firmly 
• markedly 
• painfully www.thesaurus.com
• seriously 
• sharply www.thesaurus.com
• sorely 
• strictly