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
Bailey Allen, The Providence Journal, 28 Jan. 2026
Whether this bodes poorly for Super Bowl LX remains to be seen.
—Katie Campione, Deadline, 28 Jan. 2026
Dr. John De Jong, Boston Herald, 17 Aug. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for poorly
Adverb
Finally, if a roof drainage system is blocked or poorly designed, ice dams can form, creating concentrated loads at the eaves.
—Bailey Allen, The Providence Journal, 28 Jan. 2026
Whether this bodes poorly for Super Bowl LX remains to be seen.
—Katie Campione, Deadline, 28 Jan. 2026
Adjective
This involves having a poorly or non-functioning colon and is not usually reversible.
—Dr. John De Jong, Boston Herald, 17 Aug. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for poorly
Recent Examples of Synonyms for poorly
Adverb
-
That all plays really badly with the people at whom it is aimed.—
Fiction Non Fiction,
Literary Hub,
29 Jan. 2026
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Seven Republicans joined all Democrats in opposing the measure, underscoring how badly Republicans would need Democrats to overcome the Senate’s 60-vote filibuster.—
Garrett Downs,
CNBC,
29 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
The rest of us will sit here with Belichick, sick to our stomachs.—
Dave Hyde,
Sun Sentinel,
26 Jan. 2026
-
Now, the fear is getting sick or stuck far from home.—
Christopher Elliott,
Forbes.com,
24 Jan. 2026
Adverb
-
The dialogue sometimes lapses from bad-funny to just bad.—
Judy Berman,
Time,
21 Jan. 2026
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And it’s been replaced by the grim reality that this team is one bad-looking MRI away from downright irrelevance.—
Dieter Kurtenbach,
Mercury News,
27 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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That’s about in-line with the Street estimate of 37% but represents another down tick from 38% in the reported quarter.—
Jeff Marks,
CNBC,
29 Jan. 2026
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The three-piece set comes with a down-alternative comforter and two pillow shams made of 95 GSM polyester for a lightweight, breathable fabric that keeps moisture at bay—perfect for all-season use.—
Alicia Geigel,
Southern Living,
29 Jan. 2026
Adverb
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But his comparison also raises the possibility that before anybody can figure out how to get the AI boom right, something must go horribly wrong.—
Matteo Wong,
The Atlantic,
28 Jan. 2026
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The only one who cares about Pits is her young brother, who was horribly disfigured in a fire and is the target of bullies.—
Sandra Dallas,
Denver Post,
24 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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The agency can make administrative decisions, including about visitation, when a patient is in the hospital, but should defer to hospital policies on contacting next of kin when a patient is seriously ill, the guidelines state.—
Claudia Boyd-Barrett,
Los Angeles Times,
30 Jan. 2026
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During her first year of college, her mother fell ill with a chronic pulmonary illness and could no longer work, so Corinne took a job in a retail store to support her family.—
Edwidge Danticat,
New Yorker,
30 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Poorly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/poorly. Accessed 4 Feb. 2026.
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