1
as in poorly
in an unsatisfactory way
I'm afraid you performed quite badly in our last rehearsal
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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
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 badly
Just over one month ago, the president's party had lost badly in legislative elections in the province of Buenos Aires.
—
NPR, 27 Oct. 2025
The date goes badly, but the song goes spectacularly.
—Chris Willman, Variety, 26 Oct. 2025
The woman was so badly injured, her leg bone was exposed when deputies arrived, according to his arrest report.
—David Goodhue, Miami Herald, 26 Oct. 2025
Barcelona’s 2023-24 season faded badly.
—Laia Cervelló Herrero, New York Times, 26 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for badly
NPR, 27 Oct. 2025
The date goes badly, but the song goes spectacularly.
—Chris Willman, Variety, 26 Oct. 2025
The woman was so badly injured, her leg bone was exposed when deputies arrived, according to his arrest report.
—David Goodhue, Miami Herald, 26 Oct. 2025
Barcelona’s 2023-24 season faded badly.
—Laia Cervelló Herrero, New York Times, 26 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for badly
Recent Examples of Synonyms for badly
Adverb
-
Ohtani didn’t fare so poorly himself, hitting a two-run home run in the seventh inning off Braydon Fisher.—
Tim Britton,
New York Times,
25 Oct. 2025
-
Unfortunately, a major drug trial for a new indication went poorly.—
Paulina Likos,
CNBC,
24 Oct. 2025
Adverb
-
The market isn't terribly deep for that need this winter.—
Tim Crowley,
MSNBC Newsweek,
27 Oct. 2025
-
This was natural mummification, a possible if not terribly likely occurrence in the dry cool February climate of Santa Fe, in this case in the confines of a private modern house.—
Joy Williams,
Harpers Magazine,
24 Oct. 2025
Adverb
-
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
-
Almeida is extremely likely to have wrestling success early in this fight, and the question becomes whether Volkov can survive and extend the matchup.—
Brett Appley,
New York Times,
25 Oct. 2025
-
Last offseason, the Red Sox were extremely active, trading for ace pitcher Garrett Crochet and signing All-Star third baseman Alex Bregman.—
Shaun McAvoy,
MSNBC Newsweek,
24 Oct. 2025
Adverb
-
The hunter was supposed to be Nweeia’s main guide, and this happened on the very first day of the expedition.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
28 Oct. 2025
-
There are very few people with any substance who want to run.—
Deputy News Editor,
MSNBC Newsweek,
28 Oct. 2025
Adverb
-
Arguably the best thing about this season (other than every time Sage shows up on my TV screen) is how incredibly personal Savannah takes everything.—
Dalton Ross,
Entertainment Weekly,
23 Oct. 2025
-
The country is incredibly violent.—
Fiction Non Fiction,
Literary Hub,
23 Oct. 2025
Adverb
-
The free-trade agenda sought to deregulate the labor market and prioritize market efficiency, strengthening the hands of employers and severely weakening union and social movements, as anti-free traders had predicted.—
Dónal Gill,
The Dial,
28 Oct. 2025
-
And with an additional 100 percent tariff imposed on Chinese imports, China’s economy would be severely slowed.—
Vicki M. Young,
Footwear News,
27 Oct. 2025
Adverb
-
Fast and Free High-rise Tight 25-inch 5-pocket There’s simply no such thing as having too many pockets, as exhibited by these fan-favorite five-pocket leggings, which are currently $69.—
Sophie Dodd,
Travel + Leisure,
26 Oct. 2025
-
Meaning, his sons balance a hearty rotation of sports and academics, but the Farrers are also diligent about working in time for volunteer projects, too.—
Maggie Menderski,
Louisville Courier Journal,
26 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Badly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/badly. Accessed 30 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share