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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of woefully
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
The country had lost a generation of promising students and researchers during World War I; its universities were teaching math in uncoordinated, fragmented ways, using materials that were woefully out of date.
—Leila Sloman, Quanta Magazine, 25 Mar. 2026
Like many in my field, I’ve been frustrated by woefully inadequate options for pain management, shaped by centuries of gender bias and a lack of investment in women’s health research.
—Maryl Sackeim, STAT, 20 Mar. 2026
Not all wavelengths have received equal attention, however, and some wavelengths have been woefully neglected in recent years.
—Big Think, 11 Mar. 2026
That means people covered by other insurers must find mental health treatment elsewhere, a prospect that’s difficult in a county that, by most accounts, is woefully underserved to meet a fast-growing need for mental health care.
—Andre Mouchard, Oc Register, 11 Mar. 2026
The song is one of many that addresses a period where Musgraves was sometimes blissfully and sometimes woefully romantically unattached.
—Melinda Newman, Billboard, 11 Mar. 2026
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
The country had lost a generation of promising students and researchers during World War I; its universities were teaching math in uncoordinated, fragmented ways, using materials that were woefully out of date.
—Leila Sloman, Quanta Magazine, 25 Mar. 2026
Like many in my field, I’ve been frustrated by woefully inadequate options for pain management, shaped by centuries of gender bias and a lack of investment in women’s health research.
—Maryl Sackeim, STAT, 20 Mar. 2026
Not all wavelengths have received equal attention, however, and some wavelengths have been woefully neglected in recent years.
—Big Think, 11 Mar. 2026
That means people covered by other insurers must find mental health treatment elsewhere, a prospect that’s difficult in a county that, by most accounts, is woefully underserved to meet a fast-growing need for mental health care.
—Andre Mouchard, Oc Register, 11 Mar. 2026
The song is one of many that addresses a period where Musgraves was sometimes blissfully and sometimes woefully romantically unattached.
—Melinda Newman, Billboard, 11 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for woefully
Adverb
-
Of course, that sadly isn't possible.—
Robert Lea,
Space.com,
19 Apr. 2026
-
In a recent appearance on the High Performance YouTube channel, the former Ferrari boss and FIA president described an interaction with the Brazilian legend that could’ve drastically altered the course of Scuderia Ferrari, the sport, and sadly, Senna’s own life.—
Jerry Perez,
The Drive,
16 Apr. 2026
Adverb
-
Mary leaves four children, ages 10 to 17 — and relatives feuding so bitterly that the two families had to go to court to decide where Mary would be laid to rest and two separate memorial services were held.—
Jill Smolowe,
PEOPLE,
14 Apr. 2026
-
The strike was fought bitterly on both sides.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
14 Apr. 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
-
That it was released on this year’s second Coachella weekend seems painfully fitting.—
Harry Tafoya,
Pitchfork,
20 Apr. 2026
-
The Lakers limped painfully into the playoffs Saturday night only to delightfully discover a miracle salve.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
19 Apr. 2026
Adverb
-
For Rory McIlroy, the trek toward getting a second Masters championship got a little bit harder.—
Rod Beard,
AJC.com,
12 Apr. 2026
-
Some hurts Stars defenseman Miro Heiskanen never returned because of a lower-body injury after being knocked hard into the boards by Hartman late in the first period.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
11 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Woefully.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/woefully. Accessed 23 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
