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
Liz Ames, Mercury News, 8 July 2025
And honestly, playing so poorly for a stretch of time forced me to kind of lower my expectations, to lower the bar and take one step at a time.
—Steve Gorten, Miami Herald, 6 July 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
Senate Bill 63, sponsored by two Bay Area lawmakers, is a well-meaning but poorly formed attempt to fill the financial gaps by raising as much as $550 million a year through a sales tax that would be put before voters in 2026.
—Liz Ames, Mercury News, 8 July 2025
And honestly, playing so poorly for a stretch of time forced me to kind of lower my expectations, to lower the bar and take one step at a time.
—Steve Gorten, Miami Herald, 6 July 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
-
Both started each of Madrid’s first five games and were then badly missed against PSG when ruled out through injury (Alexander-Arnold) and suspension (Huijsen).—
Dermot Corrigan,
New York Times,
11 July 2025
-
Mile after mile of the region’s precious tree canopy was badly frayed or destroyed.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
11 July 2025
Adjective
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Kids get hurt and get sick, like anyone else; every year, a few in the practice battle life-threatening illness, often cancer.—
Joshua Rothman,
New Yorker,
14 July 2025
-
Mission Viejo raced to the title while playing without wide receiver Vance Spafford (sick), cornerback Jeron Jones (fractured wrist), safeties Sawyer Thomson (knee) and Zachary Foeldi (knee) and wide receiver Max Markofski (hip).—
Dan Albano,
Oc Register,
13 July 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
-
Following a down year in 2024, Lamb and Parsons will attempt to help the Cowboys return to prominence in the NFC this season.—
Kevin McCormick,
MSNBC Newsweek,
19 July 2025
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Hill had four straight seasons with at least 1,200 receiving yards before a down year in his standards in 2024.—
Scott Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
17 July 2025
Adjective
-
Thursday’s Wimbledon semifinal between Aryna Sabalenka and American Amanda Anisimova was halted by two stoppages in the first set due to spectators being taken ill in the stands.—
Leon Imber,
New York Times,
10 July 2025
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Who would speak ill about a child that has had dozens of surgeries and is so blessed to even be here with us today?—
John Lawson,
Essence,
9 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Poorly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/poorly. Accessed 25 Jul. 2025.
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