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
Armon Sadler, VIBE.com, 24 July 2025
Laurel, Adam, and Steven react poorly to the news that Belly and Jeremiah plan to marry.
—Sara Netzley, EW.com, 23 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
The situation didn’t turn out poorly for all parties.
—Armon Sadler, VIBE.com, 24 July 2025
Laurel, Adam, and Steven react poorly to the news that Belly and Jeremiah plan to marry.
—Sara Netzley, EW.com, 23 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
-
Shares of the retailer, which isn’t doing as badly as a 49% short position would suggest, flew 37.6% yesterday.—
Jim Cramer,
CNBC,
23 July 2025
-
If Cleveland can poach Crawford and Abel from the Phillies, trading Clase might not hurt the future for the Guardians too badly.—
Zach Pressnell,
MSNBC Newsweek,
22 July 2025
Adjective
-
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
-
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
-
That same month, her mother became briefly yet seriously ill, and Alcott put down her manuscript to care for her.—
Sarah Blackwood,
New Yorker,
22 July 2025
-
When Jack became ill and close to death, Mary became very helpful to me.—
R. Eric Thomas,
Chicago Tribune,
19 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Poorly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/poorly. Accessed 30 Jul. 2025.
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