sternly

English

Etymology

From Middle English sternly, sternely, sterneliche, sturnely, sturneliche, from Old English stirnlīċe, styrnlīċe, stiernlīċe (“harshly; severely; sternly”), equivalent to stern +‎ -ly.

Pronunciation

• (General American) enPR: stûrnʹlē, IPA^(key): /ˈstɝnli/
• (Received Pronunciation) IPA^(key): /ˈstɜːnli/

• Audio (US):

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• Hyphenation: stern‧ly

Adverb

sternly (comparative more sternly or (rare, poetic) sternlier, superlative most sternly or (rare, poetic) sternliest)

1. In a stern manner.
   • 2023 April 6, Emma Sanders, “Women's Finalissima:England beat Brazil in dramatic shhotout”, in BBC Sport‎^[1]:

     It was a historic night at Wembley Stadium that saw the European champions sternly tested by Copa America winners Brazil, but ended with the familiar sight of captain Leah Williamson lifting a trophy.