resignedly

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "resignedly" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an action done in a manner that shows acceptance of something unpleasant or inevitable. Example: "She sighed resignedly as she accepted the news of the cancellation."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"That was a set-up," the man says, resignedly.

The Economist

They are, sighs a local Tamil autorickshaw driver resignedly, "Sinhala tourists"—members of Sri Lanka's ethnic majority, collecting souvenirs to take back home in the south.

The Economist

Even bankers talk resignedly about the need to reach a settlement soon, although few agree what it should look like (and even fewer would countenance automatic information exchange).

The Economist

I well remember a colleague saying resignedly to me 30 years ago that a consultant is someone who borrows your watch, and then charges you for telling the time.Iain Smith Monção, PortugalGoodbye, cruel worldSIR – When as a child I first read stories of brokers jumping to their deaths after the 1929 Wall Street crash, I thought they were meant to illustrate the humanity of the situation.

The Economist

Dylan resignedly watches "time running away", resting his bones in death's antechamber, where "it's not dark yet, but it's getting there".

Independent

Do you: 1) Shrug resignedly, smile weakly and say, "Don't worry, it was only Herbal Essences".? 2) Complain that, frankly, it would take a pretty formidable terrorist to hold up a plane with 200ml of elderflower and aloe vera? 3) Seize the bottle, drink the entire contents and proceed to the aircraft (hoping the queasy feeling will pass by the time the drinks trolley appears)?

Independent

"We'll certainly be working on it but no more, no less than what we've done in the past," Bayliss said resignedly.

Independent

He listened – Colombo was a very good listener – and after I had concluded my diatribe he sighed resignedly, "I am from unwealthy southern Italy.

Independent

I saw that the bubble-track of the torpedo had been discovered on the bridge of the steamer, as frightened arms pointed towards the water and the captain put his hands in front of his eves and waited resignedly.

Independent

Christine Ohuruogu, as Chambers complained resignedly, was an entirely different matter.

Independent

Sylvie takes it for love and is prepared to remake her life with Marc — but, when the time comes, he doesn't show (we see why — he has a fainting spell in his car) and Sylvie slinks back home and then resignedly moves to Minneapolis with her former and once-again boyfriend.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "resignedly" to succinctly convey acceptance of something undesirable yet inevitable, adding depth to character descriptions or narrative pacing.

Common error

Avoid using "resignedly" when the situation calls for active problem-solving or resistance; ensure the context genuinely reflects acceptance rather than mere inaction.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "resignedly" is to act as an adverb, modifying verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs to describe how an action is performed. Ludwig examples show it often modifies verbs like "says", "watches", or "nodded", indicating the manner in which these actions are carried out.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

86%

Formal & Business

7%

Science

7%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the adverb "resignedly" effectively communicates acceptance of an inevitable or undesirable situation. Ludwig AI affirms its correct usage, showing it modifies verbs to describe the manner of an action. Predominantly found in News & Media, its register is neutral, conveying a sense of weary acceptance rather than enthusiastic agreement. Remember to use it when portraying a character's internal surrender to circumstances beyond their control. Alternatives such as "with resignation" and "in a resigned manner" offer similar meanings with slight variations in formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

with resignation

This phrase directly uses the noun form of "resignedly", maintaining a close semantic similarity.

in a resigned manner

Similar to "with resignation", this phrase provides a more descriptive and formal alternative.

acceptingly

This adverb emphasizes the acceptance aspect, possibly implying a slightly more positive connotation.

submissively

This adverb suggests a more passive and yielding attitude compared to "resignedly".

acquiescently

This adverb implies a reluctant agreement or compliance, carrying a slightly different nuance.

without protest

This phrase focuses on the absence of resistance, highlighting the passive acceptance.

with a sigh

This phrase captures the emotional aspect of resignation, indicating sadness or disappointment.

as expected

This phrase suggests that the outcome was anticipated and accepted as inevitable.

fatalistically

This adverb implies a belief in fate, suggesting a sense of inevitability beyond mere resignation.

meekly

This adverb denotes a quiet, compliant, and perhaps timid acceptance.

FAQs

How can I use "resignedly" in a sentence?

"Resignedly" describes an action done with acceptance of something unavoidable. For instance, "She "signed the contract resignedly", knowing the terms were unfavorable."

What are some alternatives to "resignedly"?

Alternatives include "with resignation", "in a resigned manner", or "acceptingly", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say someone "accepted resignedly"?

While grammatically understandable, "accepted resignedly" is somewhat redundant. It's more concise and impactful to simply use "resignedly" to modify the action, such as "She "resignedly accepted the outcome"".

What is the difference between "resignedly" and "reluctantly"?

"Resignedly" implies acceptance of something unavoidable, while "reluctantly" suggests unwillingness or hesitation. One might "resignedly" accept a fate, but "reluctantly" agree to a task.