badly

adverb

bad·​ly ˈbad-lē How to pronounce badly (audio)
Synonyms of badlynext
1
: in a bad manner
played badly
2
: to a great or intense degree
want something badly
see also:
badly off for not badly think badly of

Synonyms of badly

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Examples of badly in a Sentence

He played badly but I played even worse. The failure reflects badly on the administration. She wanted the job badly. I'm badly in need of a vacation. His fingers were badly frozen.
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
But then disaster struck in 2022, when Flintoff was badly injured in a crash at the Dunsfold Park Aerodrome in Surrey, England. — Jake Kanter, Deadline, 27 Aug. 2026 What was in doubt, and turned out badly, was the judgment that put them there. — Monica Duffy Toft, The Conversation, 27 Aug. 2026 Horn said the real risk is that any new educational program now will age badly. — Jaweed Kaleem, Los Angeles Times, 27 Aug. 2026 The people who genuinely benefit are those vomiting or experiencing diarrhoea badly enough to be dehydrated. — Hanna Wickes, Kansas City Star, 26 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for badly

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of badly was in the 14th century

Phrases Containing badly

Rhymes for badly

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Browse Nearby Words

bad luck
badly
badly off
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Badly.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/badly. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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Kids Definition

badly

adverb
bad·​ly ˈbad-lē How to pronounce badly (audio)
worse
ˈwərs
 ; worst
ˈwərst
1
: in a bad manner
played badly
2
: very much
wanted the jeans badly
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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