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
Producer Greer Simpkin noted that the swarms of flies visible throughout required no visual effects – the location was so badly infested that cast and crew regularly swallowed them during takes.
—
Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 17 June 2026
But late last month, New Glenn exploded in a fireball during a test, badly damaging its sole launchpad in Florida.
—The Week Us, TheWeek, 16 June 2026
Continue reading … HANGOVER LINGERS — David Axelrod warns Biden comeback tour will backfire on Democrats badly.
—FOXNews.com, 15 June 2026
Matthew Rhys plays mayor Tom Loftis who so badly wants to turn his economically stagnant town into the next Martha’s Vineyard.
—Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 14 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for badly
Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 17 June 2026
But late last month, New Glenn exploded in a fireball during a test, badly damaging its sole launchpad in Florida.
—The Week Us, TheWeek, 16 June 2026
Continue reading … HANGOVER LINGERS — David Axelrod warns Biden comeback tour will backfire on Democrats badly.
—FOXNews.com, 15 June 2026
Matthew Rhys plays mayor Tom Loftis who so badly wants to turn his economically stagnant town into the next Martha’s Vineyard.
—Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 14 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for badly
Recent Examples of Synonyms for badly
Adverb
-
His original message stressing an absence of ideological differences served him poorly, creating an opening for Bronin to make the case that Larson deserved the thanks of voters but not another term.—
Mark Pazniokas,
Hartford Courant,
17 June 2026
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As a standalone oral supplement, it’s poorly absorbed, which is the reason clinics give for delivering it intravenously.—
Allison Palmer,
Charlotte Observer,
17 June 2026
Adverb
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In forming our union, the founders fell terribly short of the declaration's promise, leaving slavery intact, allowing states to restrict the franchise to white men who own property.—
Dana Taylor,
USA Today,
19 June 2026
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But if the film occasionally threatens to float away into its own inaccessible realm, Camp’s witty, doleful performance grounds it with a human dimension, albeit not a terribly warm one.—
Guy Lodge,
Variety,
19 June 2026
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.—
Mark Z. Barabak,
Mercury News,
28 Mar. 2026
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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.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
25 Mar. 2026
Adverb
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Canada and Qatar drew their first matches, making this an extremely important opportunity for their hopes of advancing out of the group stage.—
Andrew Greif,
NBC news,
19 June 2026
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All had extremely low omega-3 levels and at least one risk factor for dementia, such as obesity, sedentary lifestyle, high blood pressure or cholesterol.—
Sandee LaMotte,
CNN Money,
18 June 2026
Adverb
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Following their arrival, word spread among law enforcement at Kansas City Stadium (aka Arrowhead) that the King and Queen were en route — and the path to the VVIP (yes, very very) entrance was cleared by FBI officials, who kept fans away from the area.—
Pete Grathoff,
Kansas City Star,
21 June 2026
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This could look like a very specific cut of a sleeve of a shirt that nods to that time.—
Precious Fondren,
Los Angeles Times,
20 June 2026
Adverb
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Sinks on the vanity have slanted, green marble angles giving them a trendy look, and the faucet’s water spray is equivalent to a drenching rainfall shower (wide, strong, and incredibly impressive).—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
17 June 2026
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This combination of technological capability and human ingenuity is incredibly powerful.—
Rachel Nuwer,
Scientific American,
16 June 2026
Adverb
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Pakistan, which has played a mediation role in US-Iran talks, endorsed the agreement, too, according to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.—
Pamela Avila,
CNN Money,
18 June 2026
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It is supposed to be a great beach party with a bonfire, but it gets rained out, and they are all huddled under an awning wearing too much body glitter and eating from a greige buffet.—
Brian Moylan,
Vulture,
18 June 2026
Adverb
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This reliance on ad budgets severely restricts the company in the mind of the market.—
Jim Cramer,
CNBC,
21 June 2026
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Without that asset, the Heat’s package is severely degraded.—
Ira Winderman,
Sun Sentinel,
20 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Badly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/badly. Accessed 23 Jun. 2026.
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