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Glite Dictionary
wryly

wryly

12 7.0
In a dry, slightly mocking way
  • adverb
  • /ˈraɪli/
translation icon : irónicamente
  • "I see my reforms are going well for the church," he observed wryly, indicating the lock.
  • wryly noted
  • wryly remarked
  • wryly commented

Examples

  • "The condemned man," Mom answered wryly, unsnapping her purse and pulling out her pack.

    Fiction book (1992)

  • "I would not wish to return patristics to its traditional disposition," she says wryly (159).

    Academic text (2005)

  • And for all I know, Di thought wryly, she does.

    Fiction book (1990)

  • "Then you were awake all night." "I thought it best," he said wryly, "the way things have been getting past me."

    Fiction book (1993)

  • "But in terms of sales, it was not anything at all," Taylor added wryly.

    Academic text (1993)

  • The thought made Tom grin wryly to himself in the darkness.

    Fiction book (1992)

  • "Let's hope she wants it to go on for a few more," Alicia observed wryly.

    Fiction book (1992)

  • Exactly the way a child wishes for a catastrophe, she thought wryly, and turned to see Warren standing in the doorway.

    Fiction book (1990)

  • After an interval, Annabelle said wryly, "Not you too, Bertie!" Bertie's brow elevated a trifle.

    Fiction book (1990)

  • "It's hard to hold on to a position," she says wryly, "when you keep forgetting your boss's name."

Synonyms

ironically
vswryly
213 5.5

In a way that shows the opposite of what you mean or expect

adds mocking tone and dry wit rather than neutral observation
sarcastically
vswryly
20 4.4

In a way that says the opposite to show you do not mean it

is milder and more playful using dry irony not clear contempt
dryly
vswryly
18 6.1

In a calm, serious way that seems slightly funny

is more mocking and ironic rather than neutral and plain
tongue-in-cheek
vswryly
  • Informal
15 7.4

Said jokingly and not meant to be taken seriously

is more quietly mocking and less openly playful or silly
facetiously
vswryly
3 8.1

In a joking way that is not meant to be taken seriously

is more subtly mocking and uses quiet dry sarcasm instead
sardonically
vswryly
2 8.4

In a mocking, bitter way that shows strong dislike

is less bitter and more gently mocking with dry humor
drily
vswryly
1 7.2

In a quiet, serious way that shows you are joking or being sarcastic

is more mocking and playfully bitter than subtle dryness
wittily
vswryly
1 6.1

In a quick, clever way that makes people laugh

is more dry and ironically mocking rather than lively cleverness
drolly
vswryly
1 6.9

In a funny, slightly odd way that makes people smile

is more dry and mocking rather than merely odd or whimsical

Antonyms

seriously
∞ 1.6

In a way that shows you mean what you say

earnestly
20 3.9

In a serious and honest way that shows a strong wish

How Wry

sarcastically
20 4.4
ironically
213 5.5
wryly
12 7.0
dryly
18 6.1
drolly
1 6.9

Surface Forms

wryly positive
wryer comparative
wryest superlative

Morphology

wryly = wry (transparent) = wry + ly

Productive adverbial formation: 'wry' + '-ly' yields 'in a wry manner', directly derived and clear to learners.

Etymology

The word wryly comes from wry, which once meant 'twisted' or 'bent', like a smile turned to one side. So to speak wryly is to give your words a quiet, slightly mocking or ironic 'twist' that shows you mean something with a bend of humour.