as in badly
in an unsatisfactory way
he tends to perform poorly on standardized tests a poorly drawn figure
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in sick
temporarily suffering from a disorder of the body
she stayed home because she was feeling poorly
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of poorly
Antonio María Delgado,
Miami Herald,
29 June 2026
Butterhead, including Bibb, a smaller variety with more compact heads, does poorly in temperatures above 80°F, so plant to grow it in cooler weather in the spring or fall.
—
Nadia Hassani,
The Spruce,
29 June 2026
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
Adverb
Stories like hers are fueling broader outrage over what many Venezuelans see as a slow and poorly coordinated official response.
—
Antonio María Delgado,
Miami Herald,
29 June 2026
Butterhead, including Bibb, a smaller variety with more compact heads, does poorly in temperatures above 80°F, so plant to grow it in cooler weather in the spring or fall.
—
Nadia Hassani,
The Spruce,
29 June 2026
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for poorly
Adverb
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On the way to the oyster farm, Luke asks about a ring Joy is wearing, which turns out to be from an engagement that ended badly.
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Two men were badly burned—one died, and the other remains hospitalized—and the Fiorella’s owners lost two more skiffs.
Adjective
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Having a sick pet is emotionally a lot to handle.
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Preventing infestation Just because one calf is sick doesn’t mean the entire herd will get it, Cammack said.
Adverb
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In one of them, a spot attacking Harman, Checchi included a photo of the lieutenant governor — and not a bad-looking one at that.
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In one of them, a spot attacking Harman, Checchi included a photo of the lieutenant governor — and not a bad-looking one at that.
Adjective
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Even in a down year in which playing a rookie would have been more beneficial, Jones didn’t play much for the Pacers.
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Stock prices, meanwhile, ticked higher Wednesday after a down day Tuesday.
Adverb
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Other cases have shown the challenges that lie ahead after children are rescued from horribly abusive conditions.
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Every single one of the above contracts ended horribly, as they were either stretched, waived or dumped by the teams that signed them (Hill, Plumlee and Parsons were traded for each other three years later).
Adjective
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Her grandfather was mentally ill, an alcoholic; her grandmother attempted suicide multiple times in a nearby river.
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Some days are spent inside an Ebola Treatment Unit caring for patients who are frightened, isolated, and desperately ill.
Cite this Entry
“Poorly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/poorly. Accessed 6 Jul. 2026.
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