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
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Recent Examples of poorly
Laurent Belsie, Christian Science Monitor, 11 Apr. 2025
Champions League trophies are what coaches — including Ancelotti, whose hopes of a sixth are fading — desire and Emery scores poorly on that front.
—Justin Guthrie, New York Times, 9 Apr. 2025
Maggie Astor, New York Times, 28 Mar. 2025
Both the United States and the United Nations have stepped back from leadership roles, a reflection of how poorly interventions in Haiti have gone and also the wide range of issues in other parts of the world at the moment.
—Adam Taylor, Washington Post, 7 Mar. 2024
See All Example Sentences for poorly
Adverb
To many outside his administration, his tariff strategy seemed zig-zag, chaotic and poorly planned.
—Laurent Belsie, Christian Science Monitor, 11 Apr. 2025
Champions League trophies are what coaches — including Ancelotti, whose hopes of a sixth are fading — desire and Emery scores poorly on that front.
—Justin Guthrie, New York Times, 9 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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
Both the United States and the United Nations have stepped back from leadership roles, a reflection of how poorly interventions in Haiti have gone and also the wide range of issues in other parts of the world at the moment.
—Adam Taylor, Washington Post, 7 Mar. 2024
See All Example Sentences for poorly
Recent Examples of Synonyms for poorly
Adverb
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The attack left parts of the residence badly burned, though no one was injured.—
Caitlin Yilek,
CBS News,
17 Apr. 2025
-
Viv reacts badly to how the doctor (Sharon Omi) is discussing Greg’s illness.—
Charles McNulty,
Los Angeles Times,
16 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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It seems squarely aimed at making kids sick by discouraging vaccination.—
Dan Vergano,
Scientific American,
23 Apr. 2025
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Steward said his daughter, while surfing nearby, became sick with an infection from a type of bacteria called MRSA, which is resistant to many antibiotics.—
Ian James,
Los Angeles Times,
23 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
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That started off bad and got better.—
Vulture,
Vulture,
21 Feb. 2023
Adjective
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After a down season by his standards (career-low .788 OPS in 2024), Alonso’s entire game looks better in 2025.—
Will Sammon,
New York Times,
26 Apr. 2025
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The Trojans are coming off a down year in the first season under head coach Eric Musselman.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
24 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Balmer's mother said her son was mentally ill and had not been taking his medication.—
Caitlin Yilek,
CBS News,
17 Apr. 2025
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This was during a trip made possible by Give Kids The World, an incredible organization that grants critically ill children and their families week-long wish vacations, completely free of charge.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
17 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Poorly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/poorly. Accessed 1 May. 2025.
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