sadly

adverb

ˈsad-lē How to pronounce sadly (audio)
Definition of sadlynext
as in bitterly
with feelings of bitterness or grief sadly she told us how her dog died

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 Obviously, sadly, there have been a couple of deaths on the way. — Leo Barraclough, Variety, 5 Oct. 2026 This happens with young, old, rich, poor, college-educated, not college-educated, immigrant, native… this really happens everywhere, sadly. — Marissa Armas, CBS News, 5 Oct. 2026 Swift’s hubby Travis Kelce, however, was sadly absent from the show, as the NFL star had a Chiefs game against the Miami Dolphins in Florida today. — Christina Perrier, InStyle, 28 Sep. 2026 The dine-in omakase counter has sadly departed, but in its stead, Café Sushi Shoten has adopted a to-go model paired with Japanese groceries and sundries that is no less authentic, engaging, and delicious. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 26 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for sadly
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sadly
  1. bitterly
  2. sorrowfully
  3. painfully
  4. regretfully
  5. mournfully
  6. hard
Adverb
  • Nothing comes of it, of course, until months later, when Corinne sees the news that Kiberlain is taking to the Paris stage in a production of the very same play, and bitterly confronts her outside the theater.
    — Guy Lodge, Variety, 14 Oct. 2026
  • Perhaps the actor-director is trying to borrow a page from his bitterly funny David Fincher hit, Gone Girl (another kidnapping thriller, sort of), but Animals has none of that earlier picture’s wit or Grand Guignol extremes or gonzo structure.
    — Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of bitterly
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
Definition of sorrowfully
Adverb
  • Conversations around racial caricature have evolved; what was edgy feels painfully passé.
    — Eugenie Brinkema, ARTnews.com, 17 Oct. 2026
  • Related Stories Those two forces, love and war, coexist painfully in what may be the most ambitious film of this year’s Oscar season.
    — Daniel D'Addario, Variety, 14 Oct. 2026
Definition of painfully
Adverb
  • Their reports explained regretfully that the confrontation had prevented two officers from receiving awards for shooting burglars.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 1 Apr. 2026
  • Issa bitterly but regretfully prepares for the inevitable showdown.
    — Richard Brody, New Yorker, 6 Mar. 2026
Definition of regretfully
Adverb
  • Fra Fee, as Joe, has a slightly harder task, since his role is almost entirely reactive; while Ethan bangs on mournfully about, effectively, the dangers of shagging your brother’s wife — well, who would have thought?
    — Damon Wise, Deadline, 13 Sep. 2026
  • Mayfield watched mournfully in his kitchen while the rest of the family sat in the living room with the big screen next to a Christmas tree.
    — John Romano, The Orlando Sentinel, 19 July 2026
Definition of mournfully
Adverb
  • And even DeVonta Smith, who made his return from injury Sunday, landed hard in the fourth quarter and appeared to be shaken up.
    — Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 18 Oct. 2026
  • The Capricorn Moon squares the Sun in your sign, making private responsibilities or family dynamics harder to tune out.
    — Tarot.com, The Orlando Sentinel, 18 Oct. 2026
Definition of hard

Browse Nearby Words

sadistic
sadly
sadness
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Sadly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sadly. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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