Definition

1. Adverb:
   • In a sullen, gloomy, or stern manner: "dourly" describes the way someone behaves or speaks, showing a severe, unfriendly, or grim mood. It often implies stubbornness, harshness, or a lack of cheerfulness.

Usage

• The adverb "dourly" is used to modify a verb, describing an action is performed. It typically describes a person's manner of speaking, reacting, or behaving.
• It is a formal word, often found in written descriptions (e.g., literature, reports) rather than casual conversation.

Examples

• Adverb:
  • The manager listened to the complaints dourly, without offering a smile.
  • "This will not do," he said dourly, shaking his head.
  • She stared dourly out the window at the rain.

Advanced Usage

• "to answer/respond/reply dourly": to give a reply in a grim, unenthusiastic way.
  • When asked about the project's chances, the engineer answered dourly that it was unlikely to succeed.
• "to regard/view something dourly": to look at or consider something with pessimism or stern disapproval.
  • The old guard viewed the new regulations dourly.

Variants and Related Words

• Dour (adjective): stern, harsh, unfriendly, or gloomy in appearance or character.
  • He had a dour expression that discouraged casual conversation.
• Sullenly (adverb): in a gloomy, silent, and bad-tempered way. (A close synonym)
• Gloomily (adverb): in a dark, pessimistic, or dejected manner.
• Morosely (adverb): in a sullenly ill-tempered or gloomy way.

Synonyms

• Sullenly
• Gloomily
• Morosely
• Sternly
• Grimly

Antonyms

• Cheerfully
• Brightly
• Genially
• Lightheartedly

Related Phrases/Idioms

(Note: "Dourly" itself is not commonly used in fixed idioms. However, it describes the manner of actions within idiomatic contexts.) - To take a dim view of something: to regard something with disapproval or pessimism. A person might express this view dourly. - The critic took a dim view of the film, stating his opinions dourly.

Adverb

1. in a sullen manner
   • he sat in his chair dourly