Synonyms for

Badly

Verb / ˈbædli: / Another word for badly — explore alternatives below. For syllable breakdowns and pronunciation, see this word on Syllablesworld.

Definition

in a poor, inadequate, or unpleasant way

Synonyms & similar words

disadvantageously well severely gravely poorly advantageously ill mischievously naughtily bad seriously poorly terribly awfully incorrectly inadequately unsuccessfully ineffectively clumsily bunglingly ineptly unskillfully deficiently unsatisfactorily haphazardly carelessly negligently recklessly ill sick unwell

Synonyms by register

Formal

severely gravely seriously terribly

Informal

awfully terribly really very

Literary

woefully dreadfully

Antonyms

well good favorably excellently skillfully effectively properly

Common collocations

  • badly hurt
  • badly damaged
  • badly needed
  • badly behaved
  • badly written
  • badly managed
  • badly affected

Word family

noun badness
adjective bad
adverb badly

Usage note

Often used to intensify adjectives, especially negative ones, meaning 'very' or 'extremely'. Can also mean 'in a poor or inadequate manner'.

Example sentences

  1. She sang badly during the concert.
  2. He behaved badly at the party.
  3. The food tasted badly.
  4. The car was badly damaged in the accident.
  5. I need to fix the faucet badly.

Quotes

  • Things will get better. They have to. Otherwise I don't see how we could go on. - Beckett, Waiting for Godot
  • I can still live without money, but I cannot live without love. - Tolstoy
  • If you want to be happy, be. - Leo Tolstoy

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