Find Synonyms

badly Synonyms

Another word for badly

Choosing another word for badly depends on context, so the 25 synonyms and similar words below are separated across 3 exact definitions and ranked by match strength.
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• adverb (Context 1)

In an unsatisfactory, inadequate, or unsuccessful manner.

Usage Example

"The team played poorly during the first half of the tournament."

Strongest
poorly
Strong
inadequately
unsatisfactorily
unfavorably
unsuccessfully
terribly
awfully
dreadfully
Weak
shoddily
ineptly

• adverb (Context 2)

To a severe, serious, or harmful degree.

Usage Example

"Several historic buildings were severely damaged by the coastal storm."

Strongest
severely
seriously
Strong
gravely
heavily
critically
acutely
deeply
grievously
Weak
extensively

• adverb (Context 3)

Very much; to a great or urgent extent (used especially with verbs expressing desire or need).

Usage Example

"The community garden desperately needs volunteers before the planting season begins."

Strongest
desperately
urgently
sorely
Strong
greatly
acutely
intensely
deeply
Weak
keenly

Opposites of badly

The opposite of badly shifts depending on context. Common opposites include:

well
slightly
lightly
satisfactorily
excellently
barely
mildly
hardly
See all opposites of badly

• Nearby Words

badger
badland
badlands
badly
badman
badmouth
badness

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Synonyms for Badly. In Wordmom Thesaurus. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/synonyms/badly
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