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
-
Not every mosquito carries West Nile virus, and not everyone who contracts the virus will get sick.—
Madeline Heim,
jsonline.com,
28 July 2025
-
Cena took the opportunity to chug water to avoid getting sick.—
Dessi Gomez,
Deadline,
26 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
-
Despite the down year, the Cowboys felt confident enough to make an investment in Ferguson.—
Justin Grasso,
MSNBC Newsweek,
31 July 2025
-
After a solid 2023 where former world champion Fernando Alonso captured multiple podium finishes, 2024 was a down year ,and 2025 has been ever worse, leaving Aston Martin ranked near the bottom of the Constructor’s Standings.—
Nicole Hoey,
Robb Report,
31 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
-
About one in five people die from the infection, according to the CDC, sometimes within one to two days of becoming ill.—
Christopher Cann,
USA Today,
19 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Poorly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/poorly. Accessed 5 Aug. 2025.
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