suaviter in modo, fortiter in re

American

[swah-wi-ter in moh-doh, fohr-ti-ter in rey, swav-i-ter in moh-doh, fawr-ti-ter in ree, swah-vi-ter] / ˈswɑ wɪˌtɛr ɪn ˈmoʊ doʊ, ˈfoʊr tɪˌtɛr ɪn ˈreɪ, ˈswæv ɪ tər ɪn ˈmoʊ doʊ, ˈfɔr tɪ tər ɪn ˈri, ˈswɑ vɪ tər /

Latin.

gently in manner, firmly in action.

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

He was strictly suaviter in modo fortiter in re.

From The Second War with England, Vol. 1 of 2 by Headley, Joel Tyler

To Austria we were suaviter in modo, fortiter in re.

From Selected Speeches on British Foreign Policy 1738-1914 by Jones, Edgar R. (Edgar Rees), Sir

Ireland needs him again with his suaviter in modo, fortiter in re; his fairness and firmness, his hatred of tyranny, his determination to do right though the heavens should fall.

From Ireland as It Is And as It Would be Under Home Rule by Buckley, Robert John

Never was there a greater call for the suaviter in modo, fortiter in re.

From Life in Morocco and Glimpses Beyond by Meakin, Budgett

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023