C1adverblanguageemotions
US/ˈraɪ.li/
UK/ˈraɪ.li/
in a way that shows dry, slightly sarcastic humor, often about something unlucky
In context
"Well, that went badly," she said wryly after the presentation.
He smiled wryly when he heard that the bus was late again.
The author wryly observes that nobody reads the terms and conditions.
Words that go with wryly
verb + adverb
- smile wrylyShe smiled wryly at the joke about herself.
- say wryly"I suppose I deserved that," he said wryly.
- note wrylyThe reporter noted wryly that the speech was short.
- observe wrylyHe observed wryly that nobody had listened.
- comment wrylyShe commented wryly on the weather.
- grin wrylyHe grinned wryly and shrugged.