1
as in poorly
in an unsatisfactory way
I'm afraid you performed quite badly in our last rehearsal
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in terribly
to a great degree
blood donors are badly needed this time of year
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of badly
Their preferred presidential candidate, Saeed Jalili, badly lost the election last year.
—
Arash Azizi, The Atlantic, 15 Apr. 2025
Some have fled from a country where they have been badly treated by the police.
—Li-Lian Ahlskog Hou, CNN Money, 15 Apr. 2025
Everything about Amy’s situation reflects badly on Jacobson-Moore’s senior management, which handled both sides of the Buckleys’ prenup.
—Noel Murray, Vulture, 11 Apr. 2025
Consider gold, an investment that usually does well when stocks and bonds do badly.
—The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 14 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for badly
Arash Azizi, The Atlantic, 15 Apr. 2025
Some have fled from a country where they have been badly treated by the police.
—Li-Lian Ahlskog Hou, CNN Money, 15 Apr. 2025
Everything about Amy’s situation reflects badly on Jacobson-Moore’s senior management, which handled both sides of the Buckleys’ prenup.
—Noel Murray, Vulture, 11 Apr. 2025
Consider gold, an investment that usually does well when stocks and bonds do badly.
—The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 14 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for badly
Recent Examples of Synonyms for badly
Adverb
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This marks their 12th tag team title reign on the main roster and 13th overall, and at a time when Raw’s tag division is poorly booked, the all-time great duo is the right team to lead the charge.—
Blake Oestriecher,
Forbes.com,
20 Apr. 2025
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Some platforms already have hub experiences, but they’re poorly curated.—
Kathryn VanArendonk,
Vulture,
18 Apr. 2025
Adverb
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Our minds, for all their attunement to the nuances of the physical world—the subtle shifts in light, the micro-expressions that move on the faces of other people—are not terribly adept at perceiving those distinctions through the filters of airwaves and screens.—
Megan Garber,
The Atlantic,
29 Apr. 2025
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This price isn't terribly juicy, hence the recommendation to wager a half-unit instead of a full unit.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
25 Apr. 2025
Adverb
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Remember, too much of a good thing can turn bad quickly!—
Amber Smith,
Discover Magazine,
3 Apr. 2024
-
That started off bad and got better.—
Vulture,
Vulture,
21 Feb. 2023
Adverb
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Western Conference Finals Potential Opponents: Houston Rockets, Los Angeles Lakers, Minnesota Timberwolves or Golden State Warriors The expectation is that the Thunder will have a clear path to the Western Conference Finals, which will undoubtedly be an extremely tough series.—
Nick Crain,
Forbes.com,
20 Apr. 2025
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Revel is extremely talented, but the Bills need a corner who can step in and be good to go from the beginning of the season.—
Nicholas Creel,
MSNBC Newsweek,
20 Apr. 2025
Adverb
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Miami closed to within 85-79 very late in the third, a stretch when Miami briefly gave the Cavs problems with their zone defense.—
Barry Jackson,
Miami Herald,
21 Apr. 2025
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Press very firmly into the bottom of a 9-inch springform pan.—
Katlyn Moncada,
Better Homes & Gardens,
20 Apr. 2025
Adverb
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Within the first 100 days of his second administration President Donald Trump has been incredibly busy, implementing major changes from enacting tariffs to targeting diversity initiatives.—
Anthony Robledo,
USA Today,
27 Apr. 2025
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Most importantly, Brian was an incredibly loving father to our two sons and will be greatly missed.—
Katrina Kaufman,
CBS News,
26 Apr. 2025
Adverb
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Adam Wharton falls into this category too and for that reason completes my midfield.—
Adam Crafton,
New York Times,
19 Apr. 2025
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Many more children were affected by the bombing, too.—
Jenni Carlson,
USA Today,
19 Apr. 2025
Adverb
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But that same process is highly flawed and produces some troubled players.—
Jim Reineking,
USA Today,
29 Apr. 2025
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More is needed in a highly competitive Eastern Conference, as the other playoff series are showing.—
Ira Winderman,
Sun Sentinel,
28 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Badly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/badly. Accessed 2 May. 2025.
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