Synonyms for

Poorly

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

Definition

Poorely means to be done in a bad or unsatisfactory manner.

Synonyms & similar words

ailing undertheweather well badly peaked indisposed sickly seedy ill unwell badly inadequately deficiently imperfectly unsatisfactorily faultily inferiorly shoddily crudely carelessly negligently faultily incompetently unskillfully awkwardly clumsily ineptly inefficiently substandardly pitifully

Synonyms by register

Formal

inadequately unsatisfactorily deficiently suboptimally

Informal

badly lousily crappily terribly

Literary

meanly wretchedly shabbily

Antonyms

well excellently adequately satisfactorily competently skillfully effectively

Common collocations

  • performed poorly
  • handled poorly
  • executed poorly
  • designed poorly
  • treated poorly
  • understood poorly
  • managed poorly
  • written poorly

Word family

adjective poor
adverb poorly

Usage note

Often used to describe performance or quality. Can sometimes be confused with 'poor' when referring to financial status, but 'poorly' specifically relates to manner or degree of execution.

Example sentences

  1. The cake was poorly made and tasted terrible.
  2. He performed poorly on the test because he didn't study.
  3. The team played poorly and lost the game.
  4. The house was poorly constructed and had many problems.
  5. She sings poorly and is often off-key.

Quotes

  • I have yet to see any problem, however complicated, which, when looked at in the right way, did not become still more complicated.
  • We are all failures- at least the best of us are.
  • It is not the failure that is a mistake, it is giving up.

Try these popular words

the and that for you with was this are have not from

Practice

Play the Word Synonyms game · Choose level (start near 1)

Worksheets

Grade 4 · Grade 5 · Grade 6

Topics

Guides

Explore more words