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
Ashley Sharp, CBS News, 8 Mar. 2026
But both episodes will go down in state history as poorly handled, bungled beyond all understanding, the two shoves on our back that sent us spiraling out of control.
—Joe Soucheray, Twin Cities, 7 Mar. 2026
Dr. John De Jong, Boston Herald, 17 Aug. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for poorly
Adverb
Wise said the decision to cut the squad mid-season was poorly timed and unfair.
—Ashley Sharp, CBS News, 8 Mar. 2026
But both episodes will go down in state history as poorly handled, bungled beyond all understanding, the two shoves on our back that sent us spiraling out of control.
—Joe Soucheray, Twin Cities, 7 Mar. 2026
Adjective
This involves having a poorly or non-functioning colon and is not usually reversible.
—Dr. John De Jong, Boston Herald, 17 Aug. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for poorly
Recent Examples of Synonyms for poorly
Adverb
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The Kremlin will also be pleased the US has used huge numbers of munitions, notably advanced missiles that Ukraine badly needed.—
Tom Chivers,
semafor.com,
13 Mar. 2026
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The detail was that Rivas’ body was not only badly decomposed when it was found – it had been dismembered and separated into two bags before being placed in the trunk of the Tesla.—
Allison Gordon,
CNN Money,
12 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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In California courts, sick and dying workers are suing quartz slab makers and countertop vendors — including several Bay Area shops, along with Home Depot, Lowe’s and Costco.—
Ethan Baron,
Mercury News,
16 Mar. 2026
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The union representing the city’s subway workers has filed suit against the MTA, arguing that transit agency honchos failed to get proper public comment before deciding not to back-fill sick subway station agents.—
Evan Simko-Bednarski,
New York Daily News,
16 Mar. 2026
Adverb
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There were no debates involved, no refs called in, no bad-mouthing.—
Julia Frankel,
Chicago Tribune,
9 Feb. 2026
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The dialogue sometimes lapses from bad-funny to just bad.—
Judy Berman,
Time,
21 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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Finally, prioritizing recovery by keeping your fueling in check, getting plenty of sleep, and taking rest days and down weeks is key for runners looking to avoid injury, says Takacs.—
Emma Loewe,
Outside,
11 Mar. 2026
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The success of the farm system, much like the major league roster, will be predicated on how a number of position player prospects respond to down seasons.—
Shawn McFarland,
Dallas Morning News,
11 Mar. 2026
Adverb
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In each show, the two nitwits would set out on some caper, which would inevitably go horribly wrong, leaving them broke, or tied up, or in jail, or hanging over a cliff, or some other situation of great peril.—
John Cassidy,
New Yorker,
13 Mar. 2026
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Poor Bella’s horribly adverse reaction to the virus makes for a great jump scare in the moment and also an exclamation point on the season overall, emphasizing that no one really understands how this virus works.—
Roxana Hadadi,
Vulture,
10 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Rendering examines how artificial intelligence is disrupting the entertainment industry, taking you inside key battlegrounds and spotlighting change makers wielding the technology for good and ill.—
Jake Kanter,
Deadline,
13 Mar. 2026
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Storm in Maryland late Sunday into Monday A powerful storm system ill impact the eastern-half of the nation next week.—
Cutter Martin,
CBS News,
12 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Poorly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/poorly. Accessed 18 Mar. 2026.
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