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
Evan Massey, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 June 2025
This bodes poorly for the housing sector — which is already facing pressure from high prices, steep mortgage rates and lack of inventory.
—Anne Marie D. Lee, CBS News, 5 June 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
That would be a head-scratching move for the Browns, as Richardson has played poorly since being selected at No. 4 overall by the Colts in the 2023 NFL Draft.
—Evan Massey, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 June 2025
This bodes poorly for the housing sector — which is already facing pressure from high prices, steep mortgage rates and lack of inventory.
—Anne Marie D. Lee, CBS News, 5 June 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
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Adding to the shock factor of this particular comeback was how badly Indiana handled the ball in the first half.—
Joe Vardon,
New York Times,
6 June 2025
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Everlane Khaki Wide-leg Linen Pants These high-rise pants from Everlane are made from a breezy linen-viscose blend that won’t wrinkle as badly as 100 percent linen.—
Alexandra Pereira,
Travel + Leisure,
5 June 2025
Adjective
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Each year, about 48 million people in the U.S. get sick with foodborne illnesses, 128,000 are hospitalized, and 3,000 die, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.—
Stephanie Armour,
Miami Herald,
29 May 2025
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The best defense remains up-to-date vaccination, testing when symptomatic, masking in crowded indoor spaces, and staying home when sick.—
Rachael O'Connor,
MSNBC Newsweek,
28 May 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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Lukas Hradecky is the club’s current number one and captain, but had a down season compared to the year before.—
Sebastian Stafford-Bloor,
New York Times,
1 June 2025
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But there’s a misconception that 2024 is a down year.—
Sam McDowell,
Kansas City Star,
30 May 2025
Adjective
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In Colorado, a statewide survey recently included its first question about caregiving and found that more than 12% of high schoolers provide care for someone in their home who is chronically ill, elderly, or disabled.—
Leah Fabel,
Miami Herald,
5 June 2025
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Regardless of their legal merit, President Trump’s global tariffs are economically ill advised, particularly on products that will never be grown in America.—
Wayne Winegarden,
Forbes.com,
3 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Poorly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/poorly. Accessed 10 Jun. 2025.
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