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
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 poorly
Luke Larsen, Wired News, 15 June 2025
Before Rose took over, the Knicks had spent most of this century being as bad and as poorly run as any team in the sport.
—Mike Lupica, New York Daily News, 14 June 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
Reading reviews like those here at WIRED is helpful because looking at specs won't tell you whether a hinge is poorly made or feels sticky, or whether the lid scratches easily.
—Luke Larsen, Wired News, 15 June 2025
Before Rose took over, the Knicks had spent most of this century being as bad and as poorly run as any team in the sport.
—Mike Lupica, New York Daily News, 14 June 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
-
But the work serving the current populations can be arduous and challenging – demonstrated here as the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) team can be seen springing into action after a rhino reacted badly to anesthesia.—
Cecilia Rodriguez,
Forbes.com,
29 June 2025
-
And in Friday’s 5-4 win over the badly slumping Kansas City Royals, that once again proved to be the case.—
Jack Harris,
Los Angeles Times,
28 June 2025
Adjective
-
King Charles and Kate Middleton were both diagnosed with cancer, with the King reportedly still very sick.—
Lissete Lanuza Sáenz,
StyleCaster,
20 June 2025
-
If Rob and Ryan are struck by lightning, get bored, fall out, get sick or lose a court case, will Wrexham look so transcendent?—
Matt Slater,
New York Times,
22 June 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
Adjective
-
The 30-year-old is coming off a down year in 2024, totaling 496 yards and two touchdowns in 10 appearances.—
Kevin McCormick,
MSNBC Newsweek,
25 June 2025
-
Through Friday, the stock had dropped 14% in 2025, on pace for its fifth down year in a row.—
Alex Harring,
CNBC,
23 June 2025
Adjective
-
How to Stay Protected Against COVID Vaccination is still the best way to protect yourself against getting seriously ill from COVID.—
Claire Bugos,
Verywell Health,
25 June 2025
-
The team collected fecal samples from 196 critically ill patients admitted to intensive care for non-COVID respiratory failure or shock.—
Rosie McCall,
Discover Magazine,
23 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Poorly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/poorly. Accessed 4 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share