Meaning & use
badly
In a poor, unsatisfactory, or unskillful way; also used informally to mean very much or urgently.
See it in a sentence
The team played badly in the second half and lost the game.
He badly wanted to apologize but couldn't find the right words.
A note on using this word
As an intensifier ('badly needed'), it is informal; in formal writing, prefer 'urgently' or 'greatly.'
Words with a similar meaning
poorly
Choose a synonym to suit the sentence. Meanings can overlap without being identical.
Words with an opposite meaning
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