as in sadly
with feelings of bitterness or grief
woefully recounted the many injustices that the family had endured at the hands of the dictator
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Recent Examples of woefully
As this was an unprecedented case in which league officials participated in the deception, the remedy is woefully inadequate.
—
Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 3 May 2026
But in 2026, that savings account has been woefully deficient.
—Imtiaz Rangwala, Denver Post, 8 Apr. 2026
But in 2026, that savings account has been woefully deficient.
—Imtiaz Rangwala, The Conversation, 1 Apr. 2026
Both instincts may be rooted in good intentions, but both are woefully insufficient for governing a big city like Chicago, especially as the regulatory framework is still taking shape.
—Laura Kavanagh, Time, 27 Mar. 2026
The country had lost a generation of promising students and researchers during World War I; its universities were teaching math in uncoordinated, fragmented ways, using materials that were woefully out of date.
—Leila Sloman, Quanta Magazine, 25 Mar. 2026
Like many in my field, I’ve been frustrated by woefully inadequate options for pain management, shaped by centuries of gender bias and a lack of investment in women’s health research.
—Maryl Sackeim, STAT, 20 Mar. 2026
Chelsea’s midfield has looked woefully open at times under Rosenior since his January appointment, and lacking in physicality and athleticism for much longer than that.
—Anantaajith Raghuraman, New York Times, 19 Mar. 2026
That means people covered by other insurers must find mental health treatment elsewhere, a prospect that’s difficult in a county that, by most accounts, is woefully underserved to meet a fast-growing need for mental health care.
—Andre Mouchard, Oc Register, 11 Mar. 2026
Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 3 May 2026
But in 2026, that savings account has been woefully deficient.
—Imtiaz Rangwala, Denver Post, 8 Apr. 2026
But in 2026, that savings account has been woefully deficient.
—Imtiaz Rangwala, The Conversation, 1 Apr. 2026
Both instincts may be rooted in good intentions, but both are woefully insufficient for governing a big city like Chicago, especially as the regulatory framework is still taking shape.
—Laura Kavanagh, Time, 27 Mar. 2026
The country had lost a generation of promising students and researchers during World War I; its universities were teaching math in uncoordinated, fragmented ways, using materials that were woefully out of date.
—Leila Sloman, Quanta Magazine, 25 Mar. 2026
Like many in my field, I’ve been frustrated by woefully inadequate options for pain management, shaped by centuries of gender bias and a lack of investment in women’s health research.
—Maryl Sackeim, STAT, 20 Mar. 2026
Chelsea’s midfield has looked woefully open at times under Rosenior since his January appointment, and lacking in physicality and athleticism for much longer than that.
—Anantaajith Raghuraman, New York Times, 19 Mar. 2026
That means people covered by other insurers must find mental health treatment elsewhere, a prospect that’s difficult in a county that, by most accounts, is woefully underserved to meet a fast-growing need for mental health care.
—Andre Mouchard, Oc Register, 11 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for woefully
Adverb
-
In a state where the most recent men’s pro sports title was celebrated in 1991, seeing die-hard fans in tears is sadly not uncommon.—
Jess Myers,
Twin Cities,
1 May 2026
-
New subscribers will receive a unique promo code in a text message that can be used on purchases on the website or the app (not in-person, sadly).—
Hannah Chubb,
Condé Nast Traveler,
30 Apr. 2026
Adverb
-
The trial has dragged on for six years in a case that has bitterly divided the Israeli public.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
28 Apr. 2026
-
The eight men at the center of this book shared the common experience of being born before the Civil War, when this country was bitterly divided over slavery.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
25 Apr. 2026
Adverb
-
Tarun would tease her, and my mother would look sorrowfully toward Kavitha, as if the two of them now shared some womanly burden.—
Madhuri Vijay,
New Yorker,
16 Nov. 2025
Adverb
-
Magic Mountain removed Revolution’s simple lap bars in 1992 and installed over-the-shoulder restraints — resulting in head-banging headaches for dismayed riders and making the coaster painfully unrideable.—
Brady MacDonald,
Oc Register,
4 May 2026
-
The meme was dark, ridiculous and painfully accurate.—
Mike Bianchi,
The Orlando Sentinel,
4 May 2026
Adverb
-
For most of the nation’s history, the former Confederate states have worked hard to minimize the political influence of Black residents in particular.—
Vann R. Newkirk II,
The Atlantic,
2 May 2026
-
Joyce, the Angels’ hard-throwing reliever, is the one whose return is most eagerly awaited by fans.—
Jeff Fletcher,
Oc Register,
2 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Woefully.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/woefully. Accessed 6 May. 2026.
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