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

Many will be close to the historic Arco de Santa María, but it's poorly placed, so instead get yourself on the northwest bank of the elevated Parque del Castillo for a low panoramic view of the city — and the eclipse. — Jamie Carter, Space.com, 5 July 2026

Those two will help now, but those contracts might age poorly. — Shayna Goldman, New York Times, 4 July 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