1
as in poorly
in an unsatisfactory way
I'm afraid you performed quite badly in our last rehearsal
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in terribly
to a great degree
blood donors are badly needed this time of year
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of badly
The deal is a welcome distraction from issues at home for UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who is facing a potential revolt from within his party if local elections due next year go badly.
—
Tom Chivers, semafor.com, 15 Sep. 2025
There is no denying that more housing is badly needed in San Diego and throughout California.
—Adam Summers, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 Sep. 2025
For an organization badly in need of young players who can push for NHL employment, this is a worthy experiment during a time when draft picks are dealt by the dozen at each trade deadline.
—Allan Mitchell, New York Times, 14 Sep. 2025
After a lifeless Friday night loss in which they were held to two hits, and with the dominant Max Fried on the mound Saturday, the Red Sox badly needed the kind of dominant performance Brayan Bello has turned in against the Yankees throughout his career.
—Gabrielle Starr, Boston Herald, 13 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for badly
Tom Chivers, semafor.com, 15 Sep. 2025
There is no denying that more housing is badly needed in San Diego and throughout California.
—Adam Summers, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 Sep. 2025
For an organization badly in need of young players who can push for NHL employment, this is a worthy experiment during a time when draft picks are dealt by the dozen at each trade deadline.
—Allan Mitchell, New York Times, 14 Sep. 2025
After a lifeless Friday night loss in which they were held to two hits, and with the dominant Max Fried on the mound Saturday, the Red Sox badly needed the kind of dominant performance Brayan Bello has turned in against the Yankees throughout his career.
—Gabrielle Starr, Boston Herald, 13 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for badly
Recent Examples of Synonyms for badly
Adverb
-
Tipsy bats fly worse and echolocate poorly.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
19 Sep. 2025
-
People feel free to throw out the first, poorly-thought-out, vacuous reaction to any news story — whether based in fact or fiction, and regardless of negative consequences.—
DP Opinion,
Denver Post,
19 Sep. 2025
Adverb
-
Even raid racers are not terribly excited about that, and apparently even like the previous World’s First team is even going to bother with it.—
Paul Tassi,
Forbes.com,
16 Sep. 2025
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Set in his native Scotland and lovingly photographed, the film tantalizes even without a terribly original story.—
Stephen Farber,
HollywoodReporter,
15 Sep. 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
Adverb
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This shift would prove extremely successful in bolstering Turning Point’s reputation.—
Lily Mae Lazarus,
Fortune,
20 Sep. 2025
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Smart cities are an enticing target for adversaries, ranging from cybercriminals to nation-state actors, since the consequences of a successful hack may be widespread and extremely disruptive to daily life.—
Chuck Brooks,
Forbes.com,
19 Sep. 2025
Adverb
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The player known as Dan the Man during his playing days remains very active in a lot of different arenas.—
Bruce Y. Lee,
Forbes.com,
16 Sep. 2025
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Some like to get to the airport very early, with time for a full picnic, while others are dashing in at the last minute while downing a protein bar.—
Jessie Beck,
AFAR Media,
16 Sep. 2025
Adverb
-
Despite their incredibly unique look, quaggas were once very common across various grasslands in South Africa.—
Scott Travers,
Forbes.com,
18 Sep. 2025
-
From Chincoteague's swimming ponies to Kemp's ridley sea turtle hatchlings on South Padre Island, Texas, witnessing wildlife in its natural state is an incredibly special experience.—
Alexandra Emanuelli,
Southern Living,
18 Sep. 2025
Adverb
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But with Burrow now looking likely to miss the majority of the regular season, those chances look severely diminished.—
Ben Morse,
CNN Money,
16 Sep. 2025
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This stagnation can severely impact marketability and career growth when the labor market eventually improves.—
Kara Dennison,
Forbes.com,
16 Sep. 2025
Adverb
-
The drop-off between the starting player and his backup was still too great in some areas of Arsenal’s squad last season, but that has now been eradicated.—
Dan Sheldon,
New York Times,
21 Sep. 2025
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If the rate is too low, the economy gets overheated with more jobs than can be sustained.—
Erik Sherman,
Forbes.com,
20 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Badly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/badly. Accessed 21 Sep. 2025.
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