as in badly
in an unsatisfactory way
he tends to perform poorly on standardized tests a poorly drawn figure
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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
Sophie Clark, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 May 2025
Since the early 2010s, it has been dogged by allegations that it was poorly managed, wasted money and was subject to nepotism.
—Daniel Miller, Los Angeles Times, 8 May 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
However, as the Republican leader, party members may be concerned that the negative poll numbers will reflect poorly and result in a Democratic landslide in the 2026 midterms.
—Sophie Clark, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 May 2025
Since the early 2010s, it has been dogged by allegations that it was poorly managed, wasted money and was subject to nepotism.
—Daniel Miller, Los Angeles Times, 8 May 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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That is a big part of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame: people of low character behaving badly.—
Jason Newman,
Rolling Stone,
10 May 2025
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That lesson is one that Washington badly needs to learn.—
Faisal Kutty,
MSNBC Newsweek,
8 May 2025
Adjective
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This is a vital step not just for those currently facing a terminal diagnosis, but for the many Californians who aren’t sick now but may be someday.—
Christie Golemb,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
16 May 2025
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Parents might use those days to stay home with a sick child, while others might use a non-work day to help a family member in need or take a pet to the vet.—
Lieke ten Brummelhuis,
Forbes.com,
16 May 2025
Adverb
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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
Adjective
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What exactly was Florida getting in the 37-year-old winger having a down year?—
Pierre LeBrun,
New York Times,
19 May 2025
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The 32-year-old first baseman appears to have figured out after hitting just .214 in 449 at-bats last season in a major down year.—
Drew VonScio,
MSNBC Newsweek,
18 May 2025
Adjective
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Under federal securities laws, companies that make material misstatements or omissions in a stock prospectus or other financial representations can be found liable even without evidence of ill intent or bad faith.—
U T Editorial Board,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
9 May 2025
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Friendly females that lived in larger groups had more offspring but also tended to become ill more often.—
Sarah Kuta,
Smithsonian Magazine,
7 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Poorly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/poorly. Accessed 24 May. 2025.
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