Synonyms of poorly

poorly 1 of 2

adverb

ˈpu̇r-lē 

as in badly

in an unsatisfactory way

he tends to perform poorly on standardized tests

a poorly drawn figure

Synonyms & Similar Words

• badly
• bad
• horribly
• inadequately
• unsatisfactorily
• incorrectly
• terribly
• deficiently
• wretchedly
• unacceptably
• lousily
• awfully
• dreadfully
• abysmally
• atrociously
• disastrously
• horrendously
• deplorably
• horrifically
• inappropriately
• damnably
• grossly
• intolerably
• unbearably
• unsuitably
• miserably
• shoddily
• indecently
• vulgarly
• execrably
• egregiously
• insufficiently
• rottenly
• abominably
• shabbily
• flagrantly
• detestably
• vilely
• reprehensibly
• unspeakably
• naughtily
• meagerly
• scantily
• odiously
• inferiorly
• sparely
• skimpily
• sleazily
• trashily
• meanly
• stingily
• scantly

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• well
• adequately
• fine
• satisfactorily
• nicely
• good
• acceptably
• correctly
• appropriately
• all right
• tolerably
• decently
• so-so
• rightly
• suitably
• OK
• fittingly
• passably
• precisely
• seemly
• faithfully
• ideally
• respectably
• exactly
• palatably
• felicitously
• decorously
• congruously
• meetly
• satisfyingly
• gratifyingly

poorly

2 of 2

adjective

as in sick

temporarily suffering from a disorder of the body

she stayed home because she was feeling poorly

Synonyms & Similar Words

• sick
• bad
• down
• ill
• unwell
• weak
• shaky
• unhealthy
• out of sorts
• unsound
• ailing
• under the weather
• dizzy
• indisposed
• peaky
• peaked
• sickened
• troubled
• punk
• fragile
• run-down
• weakly
• lousy
• symptomatic
• disabled
• cruddy
• feeble
• sickish
• disordered
• diseased
• nauseous
• seedy
• queasy
• squeamish
• frail
• sickly
• seasick
• afflicted
• woozy
• invalid
• decrepit
• nauseated
• debilitated
• achy
• feverish
• infirm
• incapacitated
• qualmish
• airsick
• carsick
• hypochondriacal
• hypochondriac
• light-headed

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• well
• whole
• healthy
• sound
• wholesome
• healthful
• better
• conditioned
• hale
• fit
• cured
• able-bodied
• improved
• recovering
• strong
• tough
• robust
• hardy
• well-conditioned
• mending
• rugged
• hearty
• lusty
• stalwart
• thriving
• bouncing
• flourishing
• rehabilitated
• flush
• blooming
• chipper
• convalescing
• recuperating

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of poorly

Adverb

This is coming while fashion footwear continues to sell poorly, though these fashion sneakers will be targeted to high-end boutiques, as opposed to mass retail. — Justin Birnbaum, Sportico.com, 18 Sep. 2026

Temperate Carnivorous Plants Venus flytraps (Dionaea muscipula) and North American pitcher plants (Sarracenia) are quite unique thanks to their bug-eating habits, but these carnivorous plants are poorly suited to indoor life. — Rachel Gillett, Martha Stewart, 18 Sep. 2026

Adjective

For however poorly things are going — and the bad tone set by the starters has leaked into some defensive lapses and some pressing at the plate — the Padres got themselves into a really favorable position before this. — Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 Sep. 2025

This involves having a poorly or non-functioning colon and is not usually reversible. — Dr. John De Jong, Boston Herald, 17 Aug. 2025