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dourly

dourly

1 8.4
In a serious, unfriendly way that shows dislike
  • adverb
  • /ˈdaʊərli/
translation icon : morosamente
  • The teacher spoke dourly after the students failed to complete their assignments.
  • say dourly
  • smile dourly

Examples

  • " You forget too much," he said dourly.

    Fiction book (2000)
  • "Quite possibly he had had affairs with other women," Vespasia agreed dourly.

    Fiction book (1990)
  • "You had better be smiling," she said dourly.

    Fiction book (1993)
  • Rogers climbed dourly up on the box.

    Fiction book (1990)
  • The cadets looked dourly at each other.

    Fiction book (1992)
  • He considered the contents of his glass dourly.

    Fiction book (1999)
  • Apparently, Summer reflected dourly, the excessive sweetness had gone to his brain.

    Fiction book (1995)
  • "Are you satisfied?" she asked Ramoth, who was staring dourly at the pairing.

    Fiction book (1991)
  • He glanced dourly at the casing, then cast it aside in the snow.

    Fiction book (1990)
  • "Well," Field began jovially, "'ow did you find Milord this afternoon?" Rogers loitered dourly at his side.

    Fiction book (1990)

Synonyms

glumly
vsdourly
6 5.8

In a sad, quiet way that shows someone is unhappy

is more stern and sullen than simply downcast
sullenly
vsdourly
4 6.8

A quiet, angry way of showing you are upset

is sterner and less about silent resentment
sourly
vsdourly
4 6.4

In a way that shows anger or dislike

is gloomier and more stern rather than bitter
somberly
vsdourly
  • US
3 5.5

In a serious and sad way

is gruffer and more sullen than solemn seriousness
gloomily
vsdourly
3 4.1

In a sad way that shows no hope

is sterner and more sullen than plain sadness
dismally
vsdourly
3 4.8

In a gloomy way that makes people feel sad or hopeless

is more stern and severe rather than hopeless
morosely
vsdourly
2 7.2

In a sad, gloomy way

is firmer and more stern rather than mainly gloomy
dejectedly
vsdourly
2 6.5

In a sad, disappointed way

is firmer and more stern rather than merely sad
grumpily
vsdourly
1 3.0

In a bad mood and speaking or acting in an unhappy way

is gloomier and more stern than simple bad temper
moodily
vsdourly
1 6.0

In a sad or gloomy way that shows someone is unhappy

is a steady stern gloom rather than shifting moodiness
sulkily
vsdourly
1 7.5

By being quiet and not joining others to show someone is annoyed

is sterner and less about petulant withdrawal
frowningly
vsdourly
1 7.1

In a way that shows you are unhappy or annoyed

is a general stern or gloomy manner not just a frown
drearily
vsdourly
1 5.4

In a boring, gloomy way that shows little energy

is harsher and more sullen than simple dullness
dolefully
vsdourly
1 7.2

In a sad way that shows you are unhappy

is steely and sullen rather than openly sorrowful
stonily
vsdourly
1 8.0

In a cold, unfriendly way that shows no feeling

is gloomy and stern rather than emotionally blank
broodingly
vsdourly
1 7.1

In a deep, sad way while thinking

is outwardly stern and sullen rather than brooding
lumpishly
vsdourly
  • Archaic
9.8

To act quietly because you feel angry or sad

is more about sternness than clumsy sulkiness
grouchily
vsdourly
5.8

In a bad mood and complaining

is more serious and less openly complaining
poutingly
vsdourly
8.9

In a way that shows someone is upset by pushing the lips forward

is a sterner, moodier posture rather than a pout
lugubriously
vsdourly
  • Literature
9.1

In a very sad, gloomy way

is harsher and more stern than mournful sadness
dolorously
vsdourly
  • Literature
9.9

In a very sad way

is more rigidly sullen rather than plaintively distressed

Antonyms

34 1.0

In a happy, friendly way that shows you want to help

11 1.1

In a very happy way that shows delight

How Gloomy

morosely
2 7.2
gloomily
3 4.1
dourly
1 8.4
sullenly
4 6.8

Surface Forms

dourly positive

Morphology

dourly = dour (transparent) = dour + ly

Formed by adding the productive adverbial suffix '-ly' to the adjective 'dour', yielding an obvious manner adverb.

Etymology

Dourly comes from dour, a word that once meant 'hard' or 'unfriendly' in old French and is the same root as in durable and endure. So, to act dourly is to behave in a hard, gloomy, or stern way.