as in sadly
with feelings of bitterness or grief
woefully recounted the many injustices that the family had endured at the hands of the dictator
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Recent Examples of woefully
Production on season one had fallen woefully behind schedule, as whole episodes were scrapped, scripts were written at the eleventh hour and producers, including Bell, began second-guessing the series’ tone.
—
Lacey Rose, HollywoodReporter, 22 Oct. 2025
Even well into the 1930s, America’s defense machinery was woefully lacking, especially in the critical transport of material and personnel.
—Robert Ross, Robb Report, 17 Oct. 2025
These methods, while less exacting, are also woefully undemocratic, allowing lawmakers to act independently from and against the interests of the American public.
—Big Think, 10 Oct. 2025
Cope is woefully unprepared for the physical rigor of boot camp, but fully invested in making it to graduation.
—Kristen Tauer, Footwear News, 9 Oct. 2025
This means that housing is woefully out of reach for many of my patients.
—Sarah Stella, The Conversation, 9 Oct. 2025
Blanket statements about boundaries are woefully inadequate because the contexts of our relationships matter.
—Margeaux Feldman, Time, 7 Oct. 2025
Daniels, the union president, said his controllers have dealt with a woefully understaffed air traffic control system for years.
—Alexandra Skores, CNN Money, 7 Oct. 2025
Attorney General Pam Bondi said the Department of Justice will be appealing the ‘woefully insufficient’ sentence for the would-be assassin of Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh.
—Swapna Venugopal Ramaswamy, USA Today, 4 Oct. 2025
Lacey Rose, HollywoodReporter, 22 Oct. 2025
Even well into the 1930s, America’s defense machinery was woefully lacking, especially in the critical transport of material and personnel.
—Robert Ross, Robb Report, 17 Oct. 2025
These methods, while less exacting, are also woefully undemocratic, allowing lawmakers to act independently from and against the interests of the American public.
—Big Think, 10 Oct. 2025
Cope is woefully unprepared for the physical rigor of boot camp, but fully invested in making it to graduation.
—Kristen Tauer, Footwear News, 9 Oct. 2025
This means that housing is woefully out of reach for many of my patients.
—Sarah Stella, The Conversation, 9 Oct. 2025
Blanket statements about boundaries are woefully inadequate because the contexts of our relationships matter.
—Margeaux Feldman, Time, 7 Oct. 2025
Daniels, the union president, said his controllers have dealt with a woefully understaffed air traffic control system for years.
—Alexandra Skores, CNN Money, 7 Oct. 2025
Attorney General Pam Bondi said the Department of Justice will be appealing the ‘woefully insufficient’ sentence for the would-be assassin of Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh.
—Swapna Venugopal Ramaswamy, USA Today, 4 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for woefully
Adverb
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While Wohl’s script is packed to the brim with thoughtful moments of beauty, comedy, and heartbreak, Liberation wouldn’t be nearly as affecting and, sadly, relatable without its stellar cast.—
Emlyn Travis,
Entertainment Weekly,
29 Oct. 2025
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Mitnaul said that sadly, animals being left behind in properties is not uncommon.—
Alice Gibbs,
MSNBC Newsweek,
26 Oct. 2025
Adverb
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The federal government shutdown enters its 21st day – headed toward its fourth week – as Democrats and Republicans remain bitterly divided over how to resolve rising health care costs.—
Bart Jansen,
USA Today,
21 Oct. 2025
-
Taylor makes a persuasive case for how artists can grow, if incrementally and maybe bitterly, amid so much numbing digital noise.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
16 Oct. 2025
Adverb
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Eastwood and Fitzgerald are barely in the movie long enough to register, Williams’ 30-something mom lacks any actual spirit, and Franco’s painfully earnest single dad can’t decide whether to keep his glasses on and off.—
Brian Truitt,
USA Today,
22 Oct. 2025
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Every New York Yankees fan is painfully aware of the rough season starting shortstop Anthony Volpe had in Year 3 as a big-leaguer.—
Jackson Roberts,
MSNBC Newsweek,
21 Oct. 2025
Adverb
-
When daylight savings ends next week, dragging yourself out of bed will likely feel even harder.—
Christopher Murray
may earn a commission if you buy through our referral links. This content was created by a team that works independently from the Fox newsroom.,
FOXNews.com,
27 Oct. 2025
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But economists say recruiting young people will get harder nationwide as smaller families continue to transform the American population.—
Sarah McCammon,
NPR,
27 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Woefully.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/woefully. Accessed 30 Oct. 2025.
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