grimly
/ˈɡrɪmli
/adverb
1In a very serious, gloomy, or depressing manner: "It’s not good," I replied grimly the commander grimly predicted that violence could return...
- Times have changed, their tour guide grimly informs them.
- By the film's violent climax, we are grimly aware of how immature exploits can quickly escalate to tragedy.
- His grimly realistic depiction of frontier, small town life comprehensively undermines the heroic mythologising endemic to the Western genre.
1.1In a manner that is apparently humorous but lacks genuine levity: he smiled grimly at his own misery sad as I am, another part of me is grimly amused...
- Jack looked over at the open coffin and thought grimly, "I hope there is no miracle here today."
- "A heartwarming British comedy," someone jokes, grimly.
- He is one of the most ironic, intelligent, grimly funny voices to comment on life in present-day America.
2In an unrelenting manner despite hardship: a jaded England grimly hung on to win 2-1 [as submodifier]: she had a grimly determined look on her face...
- He grimly takes on the task of lowering his friend - 100 meters at a time - down the side of the mountain.
- The handful of men at the Alamo grimly hang on for survival.
- The portrait presents her as a grimly determined wartime heroine.