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
Mike Vorkunov, New York Times, 15 Jan. 2026
Bundle has a home to return to, but the very real financial problems Lady Caterham dealt with so poorly and cruelly now weigh on her.
—Sophie Brookover, Vulture, 15 Jan. 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
The player who had agreed to shave points apologized to Smith after the game, saying that South Carolina State had played too poorly to win by that much.
—Mike Vorkunov, New York Times, 15 Jan. 2026
Bundle has a home to return to, but the very real financial problems Lady Caterham dealt with so poorly and cruelly now weigh on her.
—Sophie Brookover, Vulture, 15 Jan. 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
-
People behaving badly is on them.—
Magi Helena,
Dallas Morning News,
15 Jan. 2026
-
Respecting Nature During a Superbloom The Internet is full of news stories about tourists behaving badly during a superbloom.—
Outside,
Outside,
15 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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This leaves a sicker risk pool behind and drives premiums even higher for those who remain.—
U T Readers,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
9 Jan. 2026
-
Humans who have prolonged close contact with sick or dead birds infected with HPAI are the most at risk of becoming infected.—
Rick Sobey,
Boston Herald,
9 Jan. 2026
Adverb
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And it’s been replaced by the grim reality that this team is one bad-looking MRI away from downright irrelevance.—
Dieter Kurtenbach,
Mercury News,
27 Nov. 2025
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Pull leftovers that still need to be eaten to the front, along with any foods that are going to go bad soon.—
Sophia Beams,
Better Homes & Gardens,
23 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
The rest of me is bundled into an expedition puffy and down snow pants, a pair of choppers that reach my elbows, a buff, fleece hat, and boots designed for the Arctic.—
Stephanie Pearson,
Outside,
14 Jan. 2026
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This will help with the down flow.—
Rae Ford,
Martha Stewart,
14 Jan. 2026
Adverb
-
The Penguins were horribly cavalier with the puck most of the game, and especially in the first period.—
Josh Yohe,
New York Times,
11 Jan. 2026
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But an information-technology contract gone horribly awry on her watch resulted in late bills last year that required school districts throughout the county to borrow and pay substantial interest just to make payroll and cover basic expenses.—
The Editorial Board,
Chicago Tribune,
7 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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The Dunsmore attorneys argued in the petition for an injunction that keeping seriously mentally ill people in isolation for 23 hours a day or more is dangerous, leading them to become safety risks to themselves or others.—
Jeff McDonald,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
12 Jan. 2026
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Indy played himself in Good Boy, which tells the story of a protective pooch trying to save his chronically ill owner Todd (Shane Jensen) from a supernatural entity that looms over their rural home.—
Emlyn Travis,
Entertainment Weekly,
12 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Poorly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/poorly. Accessed 16 Jan. 2026.
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