BADLY Synonyms: 218 Similar and Opposite Words

badly

adverb

ˈbad-lē

Definition of badly

as in poorly

in an unsatisfactory way I'm afraid you performed quite badly in our last rehearsal

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 The Mets acquired Peralta — along with fellow righty Tobias Myers — in January to bolster a rotation that badly lacked an ace during last year’s second-half collapse. — Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 24 Aug. 2026 But seeing someone that wants to perform that badly in their body, feeling stuck and not being able to. — Rachel Syme, New Yorker, 23 Aug. 2026 Half a trillion dollars measures how badly the market wants that to be true. — Robert J. Szczerba, Forbes.com, 23 Aug. 2026 If consumers are inclined to believe a company behaved badly, the distinction between firing and non-renewal disappears. — Betty Lin-Fisher, USA Today, 20 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for badly

Recent Examples of Synonyms for badly

Adverb

As poorly as the Carolina Panthers’ offense looked during Wednesday’s joint practice with the Houston Texans, Bryce Young took some solace in the fact that the performance came in a practice setting.

— Joseph Person, New York Times, 26 Aug. 2026
Sumrall’s team doesn’t have to be perfect, just can’t look undiscplined and poorly coached.

— Edgar Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of poorly

Adverb

This pre-seasoned, ¼ inch thick steel heat extremely evenly with minimal disparity between the center and edges.

— Adam Campbell-Schmitt, Bon Appetit Magazine, 31 Aug. 2026
Search for jet quenching Previous experiments suggest that a millionth of a second after the Big Bang, even as temperatures remained extremely high, matter did not behave like gas but instead like liquid with very low viscosity.

— Ameya Paleja, Interesting Engineering, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of extremely

Adverb

The Fed chairman, who took office in May for a four-year term, has so far shared very little commentary on the state of the economy or policy outlook.

— Jenni Reid, CNBC, 28 Aug. 2026
With Adults, being funny is what matters most, and in that regard, this is a very promising premiere.

— Ben Rosenstock, Vulture, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of very

Adverb

Her husband had one on, too, which made the twinning moment even cuter.

— Alyssa Grabinski, PEOPLE, 28 Aug. 2026
And while von Furstenberg gravitated to something more minimalist and streamlined for her look, there’s plenty of options out there for the more flamboyant sun-seekers, too.

— Margaux Anbouba, Vogue, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of too

Adverb

But several of those affiliates have severely curtailed their operations since the federal funding was paused.

— CBS News, CBS News, 25 Aug. 2026
Prior to those deaths, the US had not seen a measles death since 2015, when a woman with underlying conditions became severely ill.

— Beth Mole, ArsTechnica, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of severely

Browse Nearby Words

badlands

badly

bad-mouth

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Badly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/badly. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of badly

adverb

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Is it 'feel bad' or 'feel badly'?

Presidential Gaffes and Flubs

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

dissonant

Popular in Grammar & Usage

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Why does English have so many silent letters?

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Popular in Wordplay

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Even More Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Popular

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Games & Quizzes

Synonyms of badly

adverb

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Articles Related to badly

Is it 'feel bad' or 'feel badly'?

Presidential Gaffes and Flubs

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

dissonant

Popular in Grammar & Usage

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Why does English have so many silent letters?

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Popular in Wordplay

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Even More Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Popular

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Games & Quizzes