Synonyms

sadly

American

[sad-lee] / ˈsæd li /

adverb

in an unhappy, sorrowful, or regretful way; unfortunately; regrettably.

Gun tracing is an attempt to answer the sadly common question of where the gun used in a crime came from.
Sadly, the tourism and money brought in by the World Cup games won't benefit the people who need it most.

Usage

What does sadly mean? Sadly means in an unhappy, sorrowful, or regretful way, as in Whenever my dog looks at me sadly, I can’t help but cuddle him.Sadly is frequently used to mean unfortunately, as in Sadly, he could not make the game today. This usage often gives a more emotional or sympathetic tone to a statement. It’s often used for disappointments, excuses, reports of loss, and any other scenario where something could be upsetting to the listener or reader.Example: We report sadly that we were unable to reach our financial goals this quarter.

Etymology

Origin of sadly

sad ( def. ) + -ly

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

"Emergency services attended the scene, where sadly a 49-year-old man was confirmed deceased. His family have been informed," a spokesperson for the force said.

From BBC

After the judging, sadly the sculptures did not last and were left to melt in the snow, said Marsh.

From BBC

The UK, however, will sadly miss out as the Moon will be below the horizon whilst the shadow is being cast.

From BBC

"We are recovering the bodies of these people who have sadly suffered in the accident," he said.

From Barron's

The story ended sadly, however, as the bird later died, according to a commentator who witnessed the incident.

From Barron's

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023