wryly

American  

[rahy-lee] / ˈraɪ li /

adverb

1. in a mockingly or amusingly ironic way.

   It will be an evening of wryly thoughtful musing, whimsical conversation, and a few old-timey songs.

2. 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.

3. in a distorted, bent, or lopsided manner.

   His lips twisted wryly at the acknowledgment.

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Etymology

Origin of wryly

wry ( def. ) + -ly

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.

Example Sentences

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

When a rescheduled March 2026 opening was announced, there were reports — “Beware ‘reports,’ ” Gyllenhaal tells me, wryly — of behind-the-scenes clashes between the director and the studio.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 1, 2026

"The risk is constant," Gomez says, noting wryly that in the decade-and-a-half since Colombia's biggest armed groups signed a peace deal, peace remains elusive.

From Barron's • Feb. 19, 2026

The idea was that Charli would, to some degree, mold her sound into what her label always envisioned while wryly commenting on the artistic and moral sacrifices that label executives deemed necessary for commercial success.

From Salon • Feb. 8, 2026

“And I had to blow up two perfectly good cars,” Scythe Curie said wryly.

From "Scythe" by Neal Shusterman