as in badly
in an unsatisfactory way
he tends to perform poorly on standardized tests a poorly drawn figure
Synonyms & Similar Words
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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
Jacqui Palumbo, CNN, 13 Mar. 2025
Gaga’s co-star, Joaquin Phoenix, allegedly encouraged her to sing poorly for much of the film, robbing her performance of one of its potential pleasures.
—Rachel Syme, The New Yorker, 12 Mar. 2025
Adam Taylor, Washington Post, 7 Mar. 2024
Story will be a free agent and at this stage why would an accomplished player stay with the poorly run Rockies?
—BostonGlobe.com, 27 Mar. 2021
See All Example Sentences for poorly
Adverb
By the 1970s and ‘80s, despite glam rock’s best attempts to normalize towering heels on stage, men who wanted to add height often did so in secret, with inserts concealed (sometimes poorly) in their dress shoes.
—Jacqui Palumbo, CNN, 13 Mar. 2025
Gaga’s co-star, Joaquin Phoenix, allegedly encouraged her to sing poorly for much of the film, robbing her performance of one of its potential pleasures.
—Rachel Syme, The New Yorker, 12 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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
Story will be a free agent and at this stage why would an accomplished player stay with the poorly run Rockies?
—BostonGlobe.com, 27 Mar. 2021
See All Example Sentences for poorly
Recent Examples of Synonyms for poorly
Adverb
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That goal against came as a direct result of Pontus Holmberg badly losing a puck battle in the defensive zone, too.—
Nick Ashbourne,
The Athletic,
14 Mar. 2025
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For a second time, his side lost badly; liberals now held 80% of the seats in the Lower House.—
Christine Adams / Made by History,
TIME,
13 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Saturday Night Live and 30 Rock alum Tracy Morgan caused a temporary delay at Monday night's NBA game between the New York Knicks and the Miami Heat after the actor and comedian got sick in his courtside seat during the second half, and later sharing an update on his condition from a hospital bed.—
EW.com,
EW.com,
18 Mar. 2025
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Nearly 95 people got sick during a norovirus outbreak on a Holland America Line ship, the cruise line’s fourth this year.—
Nathan Diller,
USA TODAY,
18 Mar. 2025
Adverb
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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
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There is a lot to prove for Cozens, who many believe still has an upside worth tapping into despite back-to-back down seasons in Buffalo.—
Julian McKenzie,
The Athletic,
9 Mar. 2025
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But now would be the time to test his commitment to Pettersson in what has been a down season for him: 12 goals and 24 assists through 56 games.—
Phil Thompson,
Chicago Tribune,
8 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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As such, sometimes doctors will administer vitamin A to severely ill children to decrease the chances of complications of the measles.—
Wendy Wisner,
Parents,
11 Mar. 2025
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The case was settled in 2007, but the Connecticut department was sued again in 2021 over its use of in-cell restraints and a practice of keeping the mentally ill confined for up to 22 hours a day.—
Mark Pazniokas,
Hartford Courant,
10 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Poorly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/poorly. Accessed 23 Mar. 2025.
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