as in sadly
with feelings of bitterness or grief
woefully recounted the many injustices that the family had endured at the hands of the dictator
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Recent Examples of woefully
In the next 111 seconds of game time, the Cavaliers outscored the Raptors 10-0, with Nogueira looking woefully out of place.
—
Eric Koreen, New York Times, 27 May 2026
American midsize trucks like the Toyota Tacoma and Ford Ranger can be woefully under-specced for carrying heavy work loads or campers and overlanding gear.
—C.c. Weiss
may 21, New Atlas, 21 May 2026
But this year’s increase will almost entirely net out next fiscal year with a one-time cut of $25 million to generate savings for the woefully over-budget Medicaid program.
—Katy Golvala, Hartford Courant, 16 May 2026
Under its current leadership, customer service has fallen woefully short.
—Lucas Robinson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 May 2026
As this was an unprecedented case in which league officials participated in the deception, the remedy is woefully inadequate.
—Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 3 May 2026
But in 2026, that savings account has been woefully deficient.
—Imtiaz Rangwala, Denver Post, 8 Apr. 2026
But in 2026, that savings account has been woefully deficient.
—Imtiaz Rangwala, The Conversation, 1 Apr. 2026
Both instincts may be rooted in good intentions, but both are woefully insufficient for governing a big city like Chicago, especially as the regulatory framework is still taking shape.
—Laura Kavanagh, Time, 27 Mar. 2026
Eric Koreen, New York Times, 27 May 2026
American midsize trucks like the Toyota Tacoma and Ford Ranger can be woefully under-specced for carrying heavy work loads or campers and overlanding gear.
—C.c. Weiss
may 21, New Atlas, 21 May 2026
But this year’s increase will almost entirely net out next fiscal year with a one-time cut of $25 million to generate savings for the woefully over-budget Medicaid program.
—Katy Golvala, Hartford Courant, 16 May 2026
Under its current leadership, customer service has fallen woefully short.
—Lucas Robinson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 May 2026
As this was an unprecedented case in which league officials participated in the deception, the remedy is woefully inadequate.
—Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 3 May 2026
But in 2026, that savings account has been woefully deficient.
—Imtiaz Rangwala, Denver Post, 8 Apr. 2026
But in 2026, that savings account has been woefully deficient.
—Imtiaz Rangwala, The Conversation, 1 Apr. 2026
Both instincts may be rooted in good intentions, but both are woefully insufficient for governing a big city like Chicago, especially as the regulatory framework is still taking shape.
—Laura Kavanagh, Time, 27 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for woefully
Adverb
-
When Manny Fernandez passed away quietly at age 79 this week at his home in a small Georgia town called Ellaville, a subtle-yet-seismic shift occurred — mostly symbolic, but still sadly notable.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
27 May 2026
-
Remarkably, sadly, the world is silent.—
Michael Arkush,
Twin Cities,
26 May 2026
Adverb
-
After Adele and her mother had fought, bitterly, about her decision to keep the baby, and then more bitterly about her refusal to find Jamie in Florida and demand child support, Bromley invited her to live with him while things cooled down at home.—
Jonathan Franzen,
New Yorker,
1 June 2026
-
During the Nullification Crisis of 1831–1833, partisan journalists had a major role in framing the issue and were bitterly opposed to one another, especially in South Carolina.—
Encyclopedia Britannica,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
26 May 2026
Adverb
-
Tarun would tease her, and my mother would look sorrowfully toward Kavitha, as if the two of them now shared some womanly burden.—
Madhuri Vijay,
New Yorker,
16 Nov. 2025
Adverb
-
Many are now unlearning that belief—slowly, painfully.—
Jasmine Browley,
Forbes.com,
1 June 2026
-
Retail giants and small firms alike say refunds are crucial for cutting prices, paying debts and staying afloat, even as many complain that payments are arriving painfully slowly.—
Mae Anderson,
Los Angeles Times,
30 May 2026
Adverb
-
Fernando has no such accidents despite hitting the ball hard.—
Nick Canepa,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
31 May 2026
-
The couple hard-launched their relationship in 2019 with their first red carpet appearance at the LACMA Art + Film Gala in LA.—
Anthony Robledo,
USA Today,
30 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Woefully.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/woefully. Accessed 5 Jun. 2026.
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