dourly
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- 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
- in a sullen manner
- he sat in his chair dourly