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
But in 2026, that savings account has been woefully deficient.
—
Imtiaz Rangwala, Denver Post, 8 Apr. 2026
But in 2026, that savings account has been woefully deficient.
—Imtiaz Rangwala, The Conversation, 1 Apr. 2026
Both instincts may be rooted in good intentions, but both are woefully insufficient for governing a big city like Chicago, especially as the regulatory framework is still taking shape.
—Laura Kavanagh, Time, 27 Mar. 2026
The country had lost a generation of promising students and researchers during World War I; its universities were teaching math in uncoordinated, fragmented ways, using materials that were woefully out of date.
—Leila Sloman, Quanta Magazine, 25 Mar. 2026
Like many in my field, I’ve been frustrated by woefully inadequate options for pain management, shaped by centuries of gender bias and a lack of investment in women’s health research.
—Maryl Sackeim, STAT, 20 Mar. 2026
Chelsea’s midfield has looked woefully open at times under Rosenior since his January appointment, and lacking in physicality and athleticism for much longer than that.
—Anantaajith Raghuraman, New York Times, 19 Mar. 2026
Not all wavelengths have received equal attention, however, and some wavelengths have been woefully neglected in recent years.
—Big Think, 11 Mar. 2026
That means people covered by other insurers must find mental health treatment elsewhere, a prospect that’s difficult in a county that, by most accounts, is woefully underserved to meet a fast-growing need for mental health care.
—Andre Mouchard, Oc Register, 11 Mar. 2026
Imtiaz Rangwala, Denver Post, 8 Apr. 2026
But in 2026, that savings account has been woefully deficient.
—Imtiaz Rangwala, The Conversation, 1 Apr. 2026
Both instincts may be rooted in good intentions, but both are woefully insufficient for governing a big city like Chicago, especially as the regulatory framework is still taking shape.
—Laura Kavanagh, Time, 27 Mar. 2026
The country had lost a generation of promising students and researchers during World War I; its universities were teaching math in uncoordinated, fragmented ways, using materials that were woefully out of date.
—Leila Sloman, Quanta Magazine, 25 Mar. 2026
Like many in my field, I’ve been frustrated by woefully inadequate options for pain management, shaped by centuries of gender bias and a lack of investment in women’s health research.
—Maryl Sackeim, STAT, 20 Mar. 2026
Chelsea’s midfield has looked woefully open at times under Rosenior since his January appointment, and lacking in physicality and athleticism for much longer than that.
—Anantaajith Raghuraman, New York Times, 19 Mar. 2026
Not all wavelengths have received equal attention, however, and some wavelengths have been woefully neglected in recent years.
—Big Think, 11 Mar. 2026
That means people covered by other insurers must find mental health treatment elsewhere, a prospect that’s difficult in a county that, by most accounts, is woefully underserved to meet a fast-growing need for mental health care.
—Andre Mouchard, Oc Register, 11 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for woefully
Adverb
-
If the Premier League’s bottom club hoped to draw a symbolic line under their season from hell with the confirmation of relegation from the Premier League, they were left sadly disappointed by events at Molineux in the first game since their fate was sealed.—
Steve Madeley,
New York Times,
27 Apr. 2026
-
Stage star Kelli Barrett, as Bertie, is given far less to work with, sadly.—
Dave Quinn,
PEOPLE,
23 Apr. 2026
Adverb
-
The trial has dragged on for six years in a case that has bitterly divided the Israeli public.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
28 Apr. 2026
-
The eight men at the center of this book shared the common experience of being born before the Civil War, when this country was bitterly divided over slavery.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
25 Apr. 2026
Adverb
-
Tarun would tease her, and my mother would look sorrowfully toward Kavitha, as if the two of them now shared some womanly burden.—
Madhuri Vijay,
New Yorker,
16 Nov. 2025
Adverb
-
That, along with the March trade that sent Sam Carrick to the Buffalo Sabres, would leave them painfully thin down the middle, with little center help coming up through the system.—
Vincent Z. Mercogliano,
New York Times,
27 Apr. 2026
-
Vientos’ error ultimately led to just one (unearned) run, but the margins are painfully thin for a Mets team that managed only four hits against four Rockies pitchers in Game 1.—
Peter Sblendorio,
New York Daily News,
26 Apr. 2026
Adverb
-
Aerate compacted and hard-to-wet lawns.—
Tom MacCubbin,
The Orlando Sentinel,
25 Apr. 2026
-
King Charles' younger sister is known for her tireless drive for royal duty, often ranked among the royal family's hardest-working members by count of official engagements recorded in The Court Circular.—
Janine Henni,
PEOPLE,
25 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Woefully.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/woefully. Accessed 2 May. 2026.
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