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
Robby—The Pitt executive producer, writer, director, and star Noah Wyle’s instantly iconic attending physician—is leading his final shift before a three-month leave that sounds like an awfully good idea following his meltdown last season.
—
Judy Berman, Time, 8 Jan. 2026
However, officials went to the scorer’s table to review the play, which was awfully close.
—Ryan Morik, FOXNews.com, 7 Jan. 2026
Still, the sandwiches are awfully good.
—Helen Rosner, New Yorker, 4 Jan. 2026
But a world where any country can topple another’s rulers, as long as it is preceded into battle by an opposition party that blesses its military action, will be awfully messy.
—Graeme Wood, The Atlantic, 3 Jan. 2026
Let’s talk about 2026… Lam is getting awfully close to a retest of its rising 50-day moving average.
—Josh Brown,sean Russo, CNBC, 2 Jan. 2026
But that’s an awfully tough destiny to control.
—Luca Evans, Denver Post, 23 Dec. 2025
December is awfully early to label any game a must-win, but Tuesday’s tilt against the Habs feels awfully close to that.
—Steve Conroy, Boston Herald, 22 Dec. 2025
Survivor’s tribal councils of late have been awfully fond of Probst and the players indulging in tortured metaphors about the game, so Coach at least appears ready to engage with the current Survivor Zeitgeist.
—Joe Reid, Vulture, 19 Dec. 2025
Judy Berman, Time, 8 Jan. 2026
However, officials went to the scorer’s table to review the play, which was awfully close.
—Ryan Morik, FOXNews.com, 7 Jan. 2026
Still, the sandwiches are awfully good.
—Helen Rosner, New Yorker, 4 Jan. 2026
But a world where any country can topple another’s rulers, as long as it is preceded into battle by an opposition party that blesses its military action, will be awfully messy.
—Graeme Wood, The Atlantic, 3 Jan. 2026
Let’s talk about 2026… Lam is getting awfully close to a retest of its rising 50-day moving average.
—Josh Brown,sean Russo, CNBC, 2 Jan. 2026
But that’s an awfully tough destiny to control.
—Luca Evans, Denver Post, 23 Dec. 2025
December is awfully early to label any game a must-win, but Tuesday’s tilt against the Habs feels awfully close to that.
—Steve Conroy, Boston Herald, 22 Dec. 2025
Survivor’s tribal councils of late have been awfully fond of Probst and the players indulging in tortured metaphors about the game, so Coach at least appears ready to engage with the current Survivor Zeitgeist.
—Joe Reid, Vulture, 19 Dec. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for awfully
Adverb
-
They’re designed with roomy interiors and tons of compartments that make organizing your packing essentials extremely easy.—
Jasmine Gomez,
Travel + Leisure,
16 Jan. 2026
-
Sortke 18x18-Inch Set of 2 Throw Pillow Covers This two-pack of throw pillow covers is extremely discounted right now.—
Stephanie Osmanski,
Better Homes & Gardens,
16 Jan. 2026
Adverb
-
Start your very own love affair with Outcrease Retinol Trifecta Serum by grabbing a bottle today, and check out some of Dermelect’s other skin correcting serums and facial oils below.—
Michelle Baricevic,
InStyle,
14 Jan. 2026
-
She's seen that the wasteland is a very difficult place, full of suffering.—
Lauren Huff,
Entertainment Weekly,
14 Jan. 2026
Adverb
-
The data center industry does not have a terribly good answer for this, except that their 83° sun-synchronous orbit is much less crowded than equatorial ones, meaning a lower risk of collisions.—
Jeffrey Kluger,
Time,
7 Jan. 2026
-
Polls, however, suggest the bill is not terribly popular with voters, which has left Republicans saying the White House must do a better job of selling it.—
Ryan Mancini,
The Hill,
31 Dec. 2025
Adverb
-
The pork was incredibly tender and juicy, with a bold but balanced mix of spices that didn’t overpower each other.—
Alexa Stone
January 9,
Kansas City Star,
9 Jan. 2026
-
These kind of creative environments are so incredibly inspiring to me.—
Chris Gardner,
HollywoodReporter,
9 Jan. 2026
Adverb
-
Eating too much saturated fat can raise your cholesterol, a waxy substance that can build up in your arteries, narrowing and constricting them, and affecting blood flow.—
Sarah Bence,
Verywell Health,
15 Jan. 2026
-
For You Page fueling the resurgence—celebrities of all ages have eagerly embraced the trend, too.—
Annie Blackman,
InStyle,
15 Jan. 2026
Adverb
-
Welfare advocates, long highly critical of the San Jose animal shelter, are warning of a potential legal fight if the agency fails to improve animal care — accusing the city of neglect, gross negligence and repeating violations of state law.—
Devan Patel,
Mercury News,
14 Jan. 2026
-
Prior to the board's decision, renters and residents against the decision spoke highly about the mall, and its charm.—
Noel Brennan,
CBS News,
13 Jan. 2026
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
-
People behaving badly is on them.—
Magi Helena,
Dallas Morning News,
15 Jan. 2026
-
Respecting Nature During a Superbloom The Internet is full of news stories about tourists behaving badly during a superbloom.—
Outside,
Outside,
15 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Awfully.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/awfully. Accessed 16 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
