Badly (Adverb)
Meaning 1
Very much; strongly; "I wanted it badly enough to work hard for it"; "the cables had sagged badly"; "they were badly in need of help"; "he wants a bicycle so bad he can taste it".
Synonyms
Meaning 2
(`ill' is often used as a combining form) in a poor or improper or unsatisfactory manner; not well; "he was ill prepared"; "it ill befits a man to betray old friends"; "the car runs badly"; "he performed badly on the exam"; "the team played poorly"; "ill-fitting clothes"; "an ill-conceived plan".
Usages
Synonyms
Meaning 3
Without skill or in a displeasing manner; "she writes badly"; "I think he paints very badly".
Antonyms
Meaning 4
Unfavorably or with disapproval; "tried not to speak ill of the dead"; "thought badly of him for his lack of concern".
Synonyms
Related Words
Meaning 5
Evilly or wickedly; "treated his parents badly"; "to steal is to act badly".
Examples
- She deliberately tripped her classmate, laughing badly as he fell.
- His careless comments made fun of people with disabilities badly affecting everyone.
- To scam a friend for personal gain is to act badly in my eyes.
- Bullying at any level badly effects kids well into adulthood if unchecked.
- Everyone remembered him as having been a horribly spiteful ex and spoke of him badly after.
Related Words
Meaning 6
In a disobedient or naughty way; "he behaved badly in school"; "he mischievously looked for a chance to embarrass his sister"; "behaved naughtily when they had guests and was sent to his room".
Synonyms
Meaning 7
In a disadvantageous way; to someone's disadvantage; "the venture turned out badly for the investors"; "angry that the case was settled disadvantageously for them".
Synonyms
Antonyms
Meaning 8
With great intensity (`bad' is a nonstandard variant for `badly'); "the injury hurt badly"; "the buildings were badly shaken"; "it hurts bad"; "we need water bad".