poorly

In a way that gives bad results or does not achieve much success.

• I did poorly in the exam.
• The team performed poorly last season.
• Her books sold poorly at first.

How to use it: do poorly in something (He did poorly in the spelling test.)

Similar words: badly, unsuccessfully

Opposites: well

Common phrases: do poorly, perform poorly, poorly in something

With little skill or quality.

• He plays the guitar poorly.
• The report was poorly written.
• A poorly built bridge can be dangerous.

Similar words: badly, incompetently

Opposites: well

Common phrases: play poorly, poorly written, poorly designed

With too little money, food, or other things needed for a comfortable life.

• They lived poorly despite working hard.
• The children were poorly clothed.
• Many families were poorly housed during that winter.

Similar words: meagerly

Common phrases: live poorly, poorly fed, poorly housed

Feeling ill or not in good health.

• I feel poorly today.
• Her little boy has been poorly all week.
• She stayed home to care for her poorly mother.

Similar words: unwell, ill, sick

Opposites: well, healthy

Common phrases: feel poorly, poorly child, a bit poorly