as in bitterly
with feelings of bitterness or grief
sadly she told us how her dog died
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of sadly
As the season goes on, yes, sadly, teams will fall by the wayside.
—
Bill Goodykoontz, AZCentral.com, 26 Mar. 2026
Some are, sadly, timeless, like the rank Islamophobia that leads racists to hurl a pig’s head through the window of Shah’s parents’ Wembley row house.
—Alison Herman, Variety, 25 Mar. 2026
For families who’ve sadly lost a veteran, that legacy has potential to be a lot more influential.
—Kenneth Okeke, Hartford Courant, 23 Mar. 2026
While Brandon and Rosa Williams bear the ultimate responsibility for these heinous actions, there are, sadly, others to blame as well.
—Vaughan Bagley, Baltimore Sun, 22 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for sadly
Bill Goodykoontz, AZCentral.com, 26 Mar. 2026
Some are, sadly, timeless, like the rank Islamophobia that leads racists to hurl a pig’s head through the window of Shah’s parents’ Wembley row house.
—Alison Herman, Variety, 25 Mar. 2026
For families who’ve sadly lost a veteran, that legacy has potential to be a lot more influential.
—Kenneth Okeke, Hartford Courant, 23 Mar. 2026
While Brandon and Rosa Williams bear the ultimate responsibility for these heinous actions, there are, sadly, others to blame as well.
—Vaughan Bagley, Baltimore Sun, 22 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for sadly
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sadly
Adverb
-
The approval comes as the parties are fighting bitterly over the policies of the Department of Homeland Security, leading to a funding lapse that is now in its 34th day.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
20 Mar. 2026
-
The bitterly cold wind chills will linger through the morning commute, then gradually improve this afternoon as winds ease and temperatures climb.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
16 Mar. 2026
Adverb
-
Tarun would tease her, and my mother would look sorrowfully toward Kavitha, as if the two of them now shared some womanly burden.—
Madhuri Vijay,
New Yorker,
16 Nov. 2025
Adverb
-
His answer is almost painfully endearing.—
Ryan Brennan,
Miami Herald,
30 Mar. 2026
-
Both seasons were painfully funny (often just painful), but the humor sometimes got lost as time has proven even its most over-the-top bits eerily correct.—
Jennifer Silverman,
Rolling Stone,
29 Mar. 2026
Adverb
-
For their part, Democratic leaders spoke mournfully of limits, of energy shortages, of national decline, of a crisis of confidence itself.—
Rosa Lyster,
Harpers Magazine,
30 Dec. 2025
-
Based on the Dylan Thomas prose poem of the same name, published in 1952, the film lovingly and mournfully depicts the boyhood Christmastime of an old Welshman, tenderly and a tad mischievously embodied by Elliott.—
Sheldon Pearce,
New Yorker,
21 Nov. 2025
Adverb
-
Issa bitterly but regretfully prepares for the inevitable showdown.—
Richard Brody,
New Yorker,
6 Mar. 2026
-
In this story, as the dancers draw their hands regretfully toward their faces, a hateful authoritarian symbol is transformed.—
Rachel Howard,
San Francisco Chronicle,
11 Feb. 2026
Adverb
-
They are being hit so hard, anybody would be negotiating.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
28 Mar. 2026
-
There is serious concern that a stoppage that costs games could dampen the enthusiasm the sport worked hard to rebuild.—
Andrew Greif,
NBC news,
28 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Sadly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sadly. Accessed 1 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
