Antonyms for sternly

Grammar : Adv

Spell : sturn

Phonetic Transcription : stɜrn

Definition of sternly

Origin : Old English styrne "severe, strict," from Proto-Germanic *sternijaz (cf. Middle High German sterre, German starr "stiff," störrig "obstinate;" Gothic andstaurran "to be stiff;" Old Norse stara; Old English starian "to look or gaze upon"), from PIE root *ster-, *star- "be rigid" (see sterile).

As in seriously : adv not humorously
As in severely : adv harshly

Example sentences :

The bridesmaids had been sternly forbidden to come into her room.
Extract from : « K » by Mary Roberts Rinehart

Hubertine was obliged to speak to her sternly, and tell her to be quiet.
Extract from : « The Dream » by Emile Zola

"Perhaps you are mistaken there, my man," I said, as sternly as I could.
Extract from : « In the Valley » by Harold Frederic

"I will say nothing to him about that or any other matter," replied Margaret sternly.
Extract from : « Fair Margaret » by H. Rider Haggard

"Let me know the next story he tells; I'll cure him," said Mr. Morton, sternly.
Extract from : « Night and Morning, Complete » by Edward Bulwer-Lytton

That which sternly impels us in the direction of profit, along the line of desire.
Extract from : « The Devil's Dictionary » by Ambrose Bierce

I said, sternly, but with a calmness which almost astonished me.
Extract from : « The Works of Whittier, Volume V (of VII) » by John Greenleaf Whittier

I am sternly forbidden to believe that the paper educates the public.
Extract from : « American Notes » by Rudyard Kipling

All through her married years, she had sternly drugged it and kept it sleeping.
Extract from : « Tiverton Tales » by Alice Brown

"You've promised," he said sternly, eyes ranging the street.
Extract from : « The Black Bag » by Louis Joseph Vance

Synonyms for sternly

Based on : Thesaurus.com - Gutenberg.org - Dictionary.com - Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019