adverb taking the 'to' particle, adverb
dejectedly; crestfallen; sorrowfully
Describes leaving or moving away in a dispirited, downcast manner, often after a disappointment or failure. Typically used with verbs of motion like 去る or 帰る.
He was scolded and left the room dejectedly.
Upon hearing the news of his failure, he went home crestfallen.
Having failed to persuade them, he went home dejectedly.
Having been turned down, the man slunk away from the spot.
Unable to argue back, she dejectedly backed down.
すごすご describes leaving or retreating in disappointment, while とぼとぼ describes the tired, plodding manner of walking itself.
意気揚々 describes leaving or acting triumphantly and full of pride, the opposite of すごすご's dejected, downcast departure.
とぼとぼ describes a slow, weary way of walking regardless of emotional cause, while すごすご specifically implies a dejected retreat after disappointment.
Usually written in kana; the kanji forms 悄悄 and 悄々 are rare.
Rare kanji form; learners should use the kana spelling.
The origin is uncertain. It is an onomatopoeic or mimetic adverb that phonetically suggests a subdued, shuffling manner.