badly

adverb

ˈbad-lē How to pronounce badly (audio)
Definition of badlynext
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

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of badly Adams is now free to go, but not truly exonerated from the underlying charges and very badly wounded politically as petitions to run in the Democratic primary are due by midnight tonight. — New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 3 Apr. 2025 The March battle over a Republican spending bill had badly divided Democratic leaders on Capitol Hill, where Jeffries and House Democrats fought to sink the proposal only to watch in frustration as Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) helped usher the legislation to Trump’s desk. — Mike Lillis, The Hill, 3 Apr. 2025 Joker: Folie à Deux, which netted director Todd Phillips and star Joaquin Phoenix $20 million paydays each, flopped so badly that it’s become a punchline. — Peter Kiefer, HollywoodReporter, 3 Apr. 2025 Social media platforms struggled to deal with abuse The extent of harassment and abuse that Gamergate’s victims experienced — forcing some to leave their homes and go into hiding — showed just how badly tech companies had failed to protect their users, Massanari and others said. — Harmeet Kaur, CNN, 23 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for badly
Recent Examples of Synonyms for badly
  1. poorly
  2. terribly
  3. bad
  4. extremely
  5. very
  6. incredibly
  7. too
  8. highly
Adverb
  • The problem was, that the management of the bank was dominated by white bankers who engaged in widespread corruption, managing funds poorly and misappropriating money.
    — Sonari Glinton, Forbes.com, 8 Apr. 2025
  • Healthy guilt keeps us from treating people poorly.
    — Juli Fraga, Contributor, CNBC, 6 Apr. 2025
Definition of poorly
Adverb
  • What If…? ended up not being a terribly good series in the end and making Carter the focus attracted a lot of flak since it was supposed to be an anthology.
    — Paul Tassi, Forbes.com, 5 Apr. 2025
  • That could be terribly damaging, especially with the arrival of the low season and everything.
    — Jason D. Greenblatt, MSNBC Newsweek, 2 Apr. 2025
Definition of terribly
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
Definition of bad
Adverb
  • Even some of Trump’s allies, including Elon Musk and Bill Ackman, have recently warned that tariffs are bad policy that rely on extremely flawed logic.
    — John Towfighi, David Goldman and Matt Egan, CNN Money, 8 Apr. 2025
  • In the party scenes, black suits are extremely dark while preserving their cuts and contours cleanly.
    — PC Magazine, PC Magazine, 8 Apr. 2025
Definition of extremely
Adverb
  • Peters returns for the Manhattan Theatre Club’s fresh, surprising and very special Broadway production, following its run in Los Angeles.
    — Frank Rizzo, Variety, 9 Apr. 2025
  • Lennon, meanwhile, brought a very different perspective.
    — Jordan Runtagh, People.com, 8 Apr. 2025
Definition of very
Adverb
  • More Pro Wrestling: Pro Wrestling Legend Bret Hart Reacts to Record-Breaking WWE Hall of Fame Induction While there's no doubt that these wrestlers are incredibly talented, there are plenty of other WWE Superstars who are more than capable of carrying on a main event match.
    — Jason D. Greenblatt, MSNBC Newsweek, 2 Apr. 2025
  • Shilpa loves cake, so what better time to introduce her incredibly springy, tender, and flavorful Pistachio Bundt Cake recipe!
    — Bon Appétit, Bon Appetit Magazine, 2 Apr. 2025
Definition of incredibly
Adverb
  • Get best-in-class reporting that's too important to ignore for just $2.50 $1 per month for 1 year.
    — Brenda Stolyar, Wired News, 6 Apr. 2025
  • He, too, was described as a game-time decision but was cleared after going through pregame warmups.
    — Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 6 Apr. 2025
Definition of too
Adverb
  • That’s how many children in the US received the first dose of the highly effective measles-mumps-rubella vaccine by 15 months of age in 2024 — down from more than 77% in 2020.
    — Jade Walker, CNN Money, 4 Apr. 2025
  • For Most 3-Pointers In A Season NYT Mini Crossword Hints, Clues And Answers For Friday, April 4 Concrete 3D printing has proven capable of delivering highly durable, fire-resistant elements—such as utility poles and communications towers—that can withstand the intense conditions of a wildfire zone.
    — Michael Molitch-Hou, Forbes.com, 4 Apr. 2025
Definition of highly

Browse Nearby Words

badlands
badly
bad-mouth
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Cite this Entry

“Badly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/badly. Accessed 14 Apr. 2025.

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