Antonyms for sternly


Grammar : Adv
Spell : sturn
Phonetic Transcription : stÉœrn


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