dutifully

[ doo-tuh-flee, dyoo- ]

adverb

1. in a way that is required by moral or legal obligation, societal or cultural expectations, or a person’s position or occupation:

   She dutifully registered to vote and received her ballot.

   The player was stunned by the trade, but he dutifully reported to Cleveland after a decade in the Manhattan limelight.

Other Words From

• qua·si-du·ti·ful·ly adverb
• un·du·ti·ful·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of dutifully¹

dutiful ( def ) + -ly

Example Sentences

A Black man walked by and dutifully played the role of sycophant.

From Salon

Then, these same brands dutifully patent an expensive snake oil antidote for poisoning you.

From Los Angeles Times

When he first opened, he dutifully stocked his back bar with ingredients for de rigueur cocktails: cranberry juice for Cosmopolitans and a $100 jar of fancy olives for Dirty Martinis.

From Salon

When they struggled, so did I. But mostly, when they made mistakes unbecoming of their role model image, I dutifully took it upon myself to defend them from criticism.

From Salon

As usual, they had to spend about half the time rebutting right-wing smears, dutifully regurgitated by the host Dana Bash.

From Salon

Related Words

• accurately
• correctly
• decently
• duly
• equally
• equitably
• honestly
• honorably
• impartially
• lawfully
• legally
• legitimately
• properly
• reasonably
• rightfully
• rightly