sadly

comparative sadlier · comparative more sadly · superlative sadliest · superlative most sadly

1. In a sad manner; sorrowfully.

   “Only when we climb up can we see it,” he said sadly.

   Synonyms: sorrowfully, ruefully, mournfully, heavily

2. Unfortunately, sad to say.

   Sadly, the two were never to meet again.

   3 more examples

   If you think you’re getting out of this place alive, you are sadly mistaken, my friend.

   Sadly, the trip to the United Kingdom took all my frequent flyer miles. Because of that, I was unable to travel to Hawaii and investigate reports of kinky behavior among the ancient Hawaiian people involving cheap flowered shirts and macadamia nuts.

   2005, Annabelle du Fouet, “The murky world from whence it all came” (chapter 2), in Weather Balloons Make Rotten Sex Toys, Ellora's Cave, →ISBN, page 43

   Before kick-off, a section of Chelsea's support sadly let themselves and their club down by noisily interrupting the silence held in memory of the Hillsborough disaster and for Livorno midfielder Piermario Morosini, who collapsed and died after suffering a heart attack during a Serie B game on Saturday.

   2012 April 15, Phil McNulty, “Tottenham 1-5 Chelsea”, in BBC

   Synonyms: unfortunately, sad to say, regrettably, regretfully, alas

3. In a manner to cause sadness; badly; terribly.

   The people of Ebeltoft were once sadly plagued by them, as they plundered their pantries in a most unconscionable manner; so they consulted a very wise and pious man and his advice was, that they should hang a bell in the steeple of the church.

   1828, Thomas Keightley, The Fairy Mythology, volume I, London: William Harrison Ainsworth, page 161

4. datedVery much (of a desire etc.); dearly; urgently.

   "Don't ask me: don't make me talk of it," she answered. "I'm not fit now. I have been cruelly used and cruelly wronged. You will be kinder than ever, if you will walk on fast, and not speak to me. I sadly want to quiet myself, if I can."

   1859, Wilkie Collins, The Woman in White

5. obsoleteDeeply, completely.

   By my feythe sayd syre launcelot in that pauelione wil I lodge alle this nyghte / and soo there he alyghte doune and tayed his hors to the pauelione / and there he vnarmed hym / and there he fond a bedde / and layd hym theryn / and felle on slepe sadly

   1485, Sir Thomas Malory, “iiij”, in Le Morte Darthur, book VI