DEFECTIVELY Synonyms: 32 Similar and Opposite Words

defectively

adverb

as in imperfectly

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Recent Examples of defectively The jury found that the formula was defectively designed, that Abbott failed to adequately warn about the dangers and risks of the formula and that Abbott was negligent. — Lisa Schencker, Chicago Tribune, 9 Apr. 2026 Lawyers for Garg’s family argued that the Boeing plane involved in the crash was defectively designed and alleged the company did not warn passengers about the safety concerns, according to Reuters. — Abigail Adams, PEOPLE, 13 Nov. 2025 The lawsuit alleged that the 737 MAX plane was defectively designed and that Boeing failed to warn passengers and the public about its dangers. — Reuters, NBC news, 13 Nov. 2025 In the suit, the plaintiffs claimed HHI defectively designed and manufactured the switchboard in such a manner that wiring connections were not secure, could not be verified as secure, and could lose connection during normal operation. — Glenn Taylor, Sourcing Journal, 6 Aug. 2025

Recent Examples of Synonyms for defectively

Adverb

The department exists to preserve some semblance of equal justice in the United States — imperfectly, haltingly, often overbearingly for some and cautiously for others — and help ensure that the nation is governed by the rule of law.

— New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 20 Aug. 2026
Rather than suffering because leaders acted imperfectly, organizations often suffer because leaders waited too long to act at all.

— Irma Becerra, Forbes.com, 6 Aug. 2026

Definition of imperfectly

Adverb

Beatty has challenged the board’s plan to close the Kennedy Center for two years, arguing its initial decision was rushed and inadequately considered.

— Claire Carter, The Washington Examiner, 5 Sep. 2026
In the last decade and a half, a carrousel of feuding political factions took turns governing, all inadequately.

— Ishaan Tharoor, New Yorker, 29 Aug. 2026

Definition of inadequately

Adverb

Or… 2) Miami is insufficiently impressed and spends its likely very high 2027 first-round draft pick on a QB with the clear intent for the rookie to soon replace Willis.

— Greg Cote, Miami Herald, 4 Sep. 2026
Especially exciting to him was the German student movement, which combined support for liberation across the non-Western world with attacks on what the students considered the suffocating (and still insufficiently de-Nazified) Federal Republic.

— Isaac Chotiner, New Yorker, 3 Sep. 2026

Definition of insufficiently

Adverb

Even the odd chance to counter-attack went badly wrong — summed up by the sight of Ouattara almost knocking over team-mate Mikkel Damsgaard with a wayward pass.

— Stuart James, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2026
At the time, the Mets were playing particularly badly and making a lot of mistakes on the basepaths, so Ewing’s two failed attempts were somewhat magnified.

— Abbey Mastracco, New York Daily News, 8 Sep. 2026

Definition of badly

Adverb

Although the precise mechanisms remain incompletely understood, evidence indicates that exposure to components of tick saliva stimulates the production of IgE antibodies against alpha-gal in susceptible individuals.

— Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 5 Aug. 2026
Many of these compounds’ efficacy and safety remain incompletely and properly evaluated in humans, and continue to be used outside conventional medical frameworks, increasingly marketed with the language of longevity, optimization, and self-care.

— Robert Glatter, Forbes.com, 22 July 2026

Definition of incompletely

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“Defectively.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/defectively. Accessed 16 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of defectively

adverb

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