adverb
- in a serious, strict, or severe manner
Examples
- The teacher looked at the students sternly after they disrupted the class.
- She spoke sternly to her children about their behavior.
- The judge sternly warned the defendant about the consequences.
- He was sternly reminded of the company’s dress code policy.
- The coach sternly criticized the team’s poor performance.
- The principal sternly addressed the issue of bullying at the assembly.