wryly
Americanadverb
-
in a mockingly or amusingly ironic way.
It will be an evening of wryly thoughtful musing, whimsical conversation, and a few old-timey songs.
-
in a bitter or scornful way; sardonically.
The writer wryly adds that he has complete faith in humanity's ability to wake up at the alarm and promptly hit the snooze button.
-
in a distorted, bent, or lopsided manner.
His lips twisted wryly at the acknowledgment.
Etymology
Origin of wryly
Explanation
The adverb wryly describes something that is done in a wry manner, like making a clever comment or witty observation. Things that are wry are funny but don't necessarily make you laugh, and that applies to speaking and writing wryly as well. This word describes an action that is amusing — or shows amusement — in a droll, sardonic, ironic or grim way. Biting one-liners and deadpan jokes alike are uttered wryly. If you publicly insist you could dunk a basketball but are under six feet tall, you might see a few pairs of eyebrows raised wryly in your direction.
Vocabulary lists containing wryly
Number the Stars
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Scrabble: Words with no Vowels
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The Witch of Blackbird Pond
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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.
That wryly ironic, quietly devastating and now-famous monologue, scored with Iggy Pop’s mad rush of a punk anthem, “Lust for Life,” sets off a cinematic whirlwind.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 4, 2026
Ittai wryly replied "if I can make it easier by telling you the day that I plan to die, I will do my best to make that happen".
From BBC • Apr. 28, 2026
It’s a medicated but functioning limbo that Peet, in one of her best roles, conveys without the slightest trace of pity but with a coursing, wryly emotional intelligence that always reveals the sadness fueling it.
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 3, 2026
As Paul and Peters tried to get more information, they lost their ability to not wryly make fun of him, with Paul describing it as “this super-secret mission.”
From Slate • Mar. 18, 2026
After a long, uncomfortable silence, Heqet said wryly, “Do I make myself unpleasant, as the viper said to the asp?”
From "The Golden Goblet" by Eloise Jarvis McGraw
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
