Synonyms for Badly
Definition of badly
- adverb
- to a severe or serious degree; "fingers so badly frozen they had to be amputated"; "badly injured"; "a severely impaired heart"; "is gravely ill"; "was seriously ill"
- (`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"
- evilly or wickedly; "treated his parents badly"; "to steal is to act badly"
9 synonyms found
Writing tips for "badly"
Choosing the right synonym depends on context, tone, and audience. Words like bad, disadvantageously, gravely can replace "badly" depending on the shade of meaning you need. In poetry and songwriting, swapping synonyms lets you match a rhyme scheme or meter without changing your meaning. In prose, varying your word choice avoids repetition and keeps readers engaged.
With 9 alternatives available, "badly" gives you flexibility across registers — from formal to casual, from literary to conversational. Try pairing these synonyms with our rhyme finder to discover words that both mean and sound like what you need.
"Badly" in song lyrics
See how badly is used in real songs:
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"Parachute ratty, one bunk cord now the air is scooped badly"
Aesop Rock — Winners Take All -
"The dandruff in your hair got your shirt shook badly"
Blueprint — Lo-Fi Funk -
"Harass me Screwed Up Click, doing all you haters badly"
Botany Boys — Botany is Tha Block