: in a poor condition or manner
: somewhat ill : indisposed
Examples of poorly in a Sentence
Adverb
he tends to perform poorly on standardized tests
Adjective
she stayed home because she was feeling poorly
Recent Examples on the Web
Victoria Edel, PEOPLE, 23 Oct. 2025
Both thatch and compaction limit moisture, nutrients, and oxygen from making their way into the root zone, causing the turf to grow poorly.
—Megan Hughes, Better Homes & Gardens, 22 Oct. 2025
Dr. John De Jong, Boston Herald, 17 Aug. 2025
The researchers and their partners are also working to track local residents’ health and to measure how well or poorly interventions like masks and household air filters protected them.
—Maggie Astor, New York Times, 28 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for poorly
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Adverb
Teen Wolf, released in August 1985, was poorly received by critics, but was a financial success, making over $30 million on its $4 million budget.
—Victoria Edel, PEOPLE, 23 Oct. 2025
Both thatch and compaction limit moisture, nutrients, and oxygen from making their way into the root zone, causing the turf to grow poorly.
—Megan Hughes, Better Homes & Gardens, 22 Oct. 2025
Adjective
This involves having a poorly or non-functioning colon and is not usually reversible.
—Dr. John De Jong, Boston Herald, 17 Aug. 2025
The researchers and their partners are also working to track local residents’ health and to measure how well or poorly interventions like masks and household air filters protected them.
—Maggie Astor, New York Times, 28 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for poorly
Cite this Entry
“Poorly.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/poorly. Accessed 27 Oct. 2025.
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