as in extremely
to a great degree
I'm awfully sorry
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of awfully
The announcer for his team sounds awfully familiar.
—
Assistant Sports Editor, Los Angeles Times, 9 June 2026
Los Angeles – and particularly the community that surrounds Riviera, still in recovery mode from the devastating fires that ravaged Pacific Palisades in January, 2025 – also won, with this week-long reminder that this community is still awfully special, no matter what the haters say.
—Jim Alexander, Oc Register, 8 June 2026
Even though men’s tennis has felt awfully predictable over the past two decades, fans always must be on their toes, because anything can happen.
—Lev Akabas, Sportico.com, 7 June 2026
After Carle or Cassidy, whom the Vegas brass have locked up in in dungeon near Circus Circus, the pickings look awfully slim.
—Sean Keeler, Denver Post, 3 June 2026
More importantly, abandoning a franchise because one player welcomed a president on stage seems like an awfully thin reason to walk away.
—Bobby Burack Outkick, FOXNews.com, 1 June 2026
There is something awfully likable about this team, mostly its refusal to quit.
—John Shipley, Twin Cities, 22 May 2026
Quatraro’s comment about not having 25 major-league quality players floating around may sound awfully familiar to Royals fans.
—Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 22 May 2026
Because Baggers are awfully low to begin with.
—New Atlas, 19 May 2026
Assistant Sports Editor, Los Angeles Times, 9 June 2026
Los Angeles – and particularly the community that surrounds Riviera, still in recovery mode from the devastating fires that ravaged Pacific Palisades in January, 2025 – also won, with this week-long reminder that this community is still awfully special, no matter what the haters say.
—Jim Alexander, Oc Register, 8 June 2026
Even though men’s tennis has felt awfully predictable over the past two decades, fans always must be on their toes, because anything can happen.
—Lev Akabas, Sportico.com, 7 June 2026
After Carle or Cassidy, whom the Vegas brass have locked up in in dungeon near Circus Circus, the pickings look awfully slim.
—Sean Keeler, Denver Post, 3 June 2026
More importantly, abandoning a franchise because one player welcomed a president on stage seems like an awfully thin reason to walk away.
—Bobby Burack Outkick, FOXNews.com, 1 June 2026
There is something awfully likable about this team, mostly its refusal to quit.
—John Shipley, Twin Cities, 22 May 2026
Quatraro’s comment about not having 25 major-league quality players floating around may sound awfully familiar to Royals fans.
—Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 22 May 2026
Because Baggers are awfully low to begin with.
—New Atlas, 19 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for awfully
Adverb
-
According to Outword Magazine Fred Palmer, the owner of Scott’s, Alan Irvine, is extremely gay supportive and has hosted numerous events for both Outword and the Rainbow Chamber of Commerce (see below).—
Sean Timberlake,
Sacbee.com,
12 June 2026
-
The whole episode is a reminder to product designers everywhere that users can be extremely sensitive to the seemingly smallest changes — and Spotify clearly had not anticipated that a teeny-tiny disco ball drop would prove to be unpopular.—
Todd Spangler,
Variety,
12 June 2026
Adverb
-
The first strike was very lethal.—
Adeola Adeosun,
MSNBC Newsweek,
9 Dec. 2025
-
Unlike lights, inflatables are very visible during the day and draw the attention of your neighbors.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
8 Dec. 2025
Adverb
-
More rapt, more heartbroken, more rattled by the harrowing questions presented by the long, slow, terribly seductive suicide humanity seems bent on carrying out via technology.—
Sara Holdren,
Vulture,
9 Dec. 2025
-
Seeing people walking their dogs in West Park on the North Side is not terribly uncommon.—
Ross Guidotti,
CBS News,
8 Dec. 2025
Adverb
-
Kylian MbappĂ© was met with an incredibly loud reception.—
NBC News,
NBC news,
17 June 2026
-
This combination of technological capability and human ingenuity is incredibly powerful.—
Rachel Nuwer,
Scientific American,
16 June 2026
Adverb
-
Raman also sought to draw a contrast with Bass, arguing that powerful political interests have too much influence over City Hall and have contributed to public frustration with local government.—
Teresa Liu,
Daily News,
11 June 2026
-
He’s been working hard with the pitching guys too.—
Jeff Fletcher,
Oc Register,
11 June 2026
Adverb
-
Regulatory reports have also flagged the risk that highly leveraged non-bank lenders , operating in relatively opaque structures, could amplify stress in a future downturn .—
Lee Ying Shan,
CNBC,
9 Dec. 2025
-
The Spurs are known to value the latest Rookie of the Year highly.—
Justin Grasso,
MSNBC Newsweek,
9 Dec. 2025
Adverb
-
Jeff looks at things very straightforwardly and is damned fearless, right?—
Fortune Editors,
Fortune,
22 Oct. 2025
-
To take just one example from many hundreds, consider this conical, solid brass paperweight from minimalist Swedish firm Les Few, which will weigh down your expense reports and look damned good doing it.—
Eric Twardzik,
Robb Report,
8 Sep. 2025
Adverb
-
That framing will age badly in any domain where the workflow needs to defend itself.—
Anna Meadows,
Forbes.com,
11 June 2026
-
The tournament comes amid an uncertain and unpopular war, rising gas prices, and predictions that the president’s party will lose badly in the midterm elections.—
Matt Viser,
The Atlantic,
11 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Awfully.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/awfully. Accessed 17 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
