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sourly

sourly

4 6.4
In a way that shows anger or dislike
  • adverb
  • /ˈsaʊərli/
translation icon : con resentimiento
  • "So now you believe me," he said sourly, rubbing an elbow.
  • said sourly
  • thought sourly
  • smiled sourly

Examples

  • "Lucky sod," thought Addison sourly, as he knotted his tie and tucked it into the top of his waistcoat.

    Fiction book (1995)
  • The new fish disembark, chained together single-file, blinking sourly at their surroundings.

    Fiction book (1994)
  • "Guess who?" he says sourly without troubling to look up.

    Fiction book (1991)
  • Glaring down at me, he added sourly, "Your friend, the Cat, hid it from me."

    Fiction book (1991)
  • "Thanks," Heikki said, rather sourly, and took a deep breath, putting aside the whole subject.

    Fiction book (1990)
  • "You were his wife?" She smiled sourly, resettling herself.

    Fiction book (1992)
  • Either that, Graham reflected sourly, or the advancing middle years had affected his perceptions.

    Fiction book (1999)
  • "I'll have to learn to mimic my sergeant when I go to Angola," I said sourly.

    Fiction book (1997)
  • "That's probably wise," he says sourly, "but they're going to get hammered on taxes.

    Fiction book (1995)
  • He replied sourly when asked if he enjoyed the movie, clearly displeased with its plot.

Synonyms

angrily
vssourly
58 1.0

In a way that shows anger

is more about quiet bitterness or resentful attitude
bitterly
vssourly
47 3.2

In a very angry or hurt way that shows strong negative feeling

shows resentment or displeasure with less extreme intensity
coldly
vssourly
30 4.0

In a way that shows little feeling or kindness to other people

is cold through bitterness or resentful feeling rather than indifference
indignantly
vssourly
7 5.0

In an angry way because something seems unfair

is bitterness at others rather than anger at unfairness
sullenly
vssourly
4 6.8

A quiet, angry way of showing you are upset

is openly resentful rather than quietly withdrawn
nastily
vssourly
2 5.1

In an unpleasant, angry, or mean way

is bitter or resentful but not necessarily spiteful
resentfully
vssourly
1 5.8

Feeling angry because someone treated you unfairly

is similar but less focused on perceived unfairness
grumpily
vssourly
1 3.0

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

is bitterness or displeasure rather than general sulkiness
acidly
vssourly
1 5.1

In a sharp, rude way that shows sarcasm

shows displeasure or bitterness rather than cutting sarcasm
sulkily
vssourly
1 7.5

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

is more about bitter attitude than silent withdrawal
acerbically
vssourly
1 8.1

In a sharp, hurtful way when criticizing someone

is resentful without necessarily being sharply critical
caustically
vssourly
1 8.2

In a sharply critical way that can hurt someone's feelings

focuses on bitter feeling rather than severe criticism
churlishly
vssourly
  • Formal
1 9.5

In a rude or unfriendly way

is bitterness or displeasure rather than simple rudeness
dourly
vssourly
1 8.4

In a serious, unfriendly way that shows dislike

is a resentful attitude rather than general gloominess
rancorously
vssourly
  • Formal
8.6

In a way that shows deep, lasting anger toward someone

is resentful without the deep, lasting bitterness
acrimoniously
vssourly
8.1

In a bitter, angry way during a disagreement

expresses bitterness but usually with milder harshness
acridly
vssourly
8.2

In a sharp, bitter way that hurts people with words

shows bitterness more as attitude than as sharp speech
grouchily
vssourly
5.8

In a bad mood and complaining

reflects lingering bitterness rather than simple ill temper
crankily
vssourly
6.0

In a bad-tempered, easily annoyed way

is a resentful attitude rather than general irritability
biliously
vssourly
  • Literature
9.5

In an angry and unpleasant way that shows annoyance

is focused on resentment rather than physical unease

Antonyms

34 1.0

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

How Resentful

spitefully
2 7.0
bitterly
47 3.2
sourly
4 6.4
coldly
30 4.0
calmly
110 1.0

Surface Forms

sourly positive

Morphology

sourly = sour (transparent) = sour + ly

The adverb is a standard derivation from the adjective 'sour' using the productive suffix '-ly', producing the meaning 'in a sour/bitter manner'.

Etymology

The word sourly comes from the simple word sour plus the ending -ly, where sour originally meant 'acid' or 'tart' in taste. A helpful image is a person making a sour face after bad food — so to speak or act sourly is to be 'unpleasant' or 'bitter', which is why the word now means showing resentment or displeasure.