wrongly
RONG-lee
Wrongly (adv) means Incorrectly or by mistake. Example: “The package was wrongly addressed and never arrived.”
adv
1
Incorrectly or by mistake.
""The minute I put my nose in that door she was at me for a drop of gin, but having no instructions to supply it, and being strictly teetotal myself, I have not done so, whether rightly or wrongly I leave you to judge, doctor.""
— Norman Lindsay, Dust or Polish? (1950)
"In March 2021, Mr. Livingston finally went up for parole after one of the lawyers from Appellate Advocates, De Nice Powell, argued he had been wrongly sentenced in the razor-blade contraband case and got the sentence reduced."
— Maria Cramer, He Was Wrongly Convicted of Killing Her Father. She Set Out to Free Him (2023)
"I wrongly assumed that it would be an easy job."
"The package was wrongly addressed and never arrived."
2
In an unfair or unjust manner.
"He was wrongly blamed for the accident."
How to use wrongly
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishIncorrectly, or unfairly — depending on context.
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Word forms
- Comparative
- more wrongly
- Superlative
- most wrongly
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The package was _____ addressed and never arrived.
Etymology
This word comes from Middle English wrongly, wrongliche, made up of wrong and -ly.
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for wrongly
See all rhymes for wrongly →Frequently asked questions
What does “wrongly” mean?
The word “wrongly” means incorrectly or by mistake. In plain terms, incorrectly, or unfairly — depending on context.
How do you pronounce “wrongly”?
“Wrongly” is pronounced RONG-lee (/ˈɹɔŋ.li/ in IPA).
How do you use “wrongly” in a sentence?
Here is “wrongly” used in a sentence: “The package was wrongly addressed and never arrived.”
What part of speech is “wrongly”?
“Wrongly” is an adverb.
Is “wrongly” a common word?
“Wrongly” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “wrongly” have?
“Wrongly” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: incorrectly or by mistake.
