Thesaurus.com
Dictionary.com
Definitions

badly

[bad-lee] / ˈbæd li /
ADVERB
inadequately
Synonyms
STRONGEST
awkwardly clumsily poorly
WEAK
abominably blunderingly carelessly crudely defectively erroneously faultily feebly haphazardly imperfectly incompetently ineffectively ineptly maladroitly negligently shoddily stupidly unfavorably unfortunately unsatisfactorily unskillfully unsuccessfully weakly wrong wrongly
Antonyms
WEAK
adequately calmly little mildly morally
ADVERB
immorally
Synonyms
STRONG
naughtily
WEAK
criminally evilly improperly shamefully unethically wickedly
Antonyms
WEAK
adequately calmly little mildly morally
ADVERB
very much; desperately
Synonyms
STRONGEST
deeply greatly hard painfully seriously severely
STRONG
gravely
WEAK
acutely exceedingly extremely intensely roughly
Antonyms
STRONGEST
lightly
WEAK
adequately calmly little mildly morally

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

In response, U.S. government officials relayed messages to Downing Street that any cancellation would be extremely badly received by Trump, according to people familiar with the matter.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 27, 2026

Collectors who bought the work of up-and-coming artists hoping to flip them for profit got badly burned.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 26, 2026

"It was immediately clear that Harley was very badly hurt," said Knight.

From BBC • Apr. 24, 2026

The wave of sympathy tipped into public anger on April 1 when regional authorities announced they were convinced the badly injured and distressed animal could no longer be saved.

From Barron's • Apr. 23, 2026

I’d offer to share my earnings with her if I didn’t need mine so badly.

From "The Wrong Way Home" by Kate O’Shaughnessy