different between poorly vs powerless

English

Pronunciation

• (Received Pronunciation) IPA^(key): /?p??li/, /?p??li/
• (General American) IPA^(key): /?p??li/, /?p??li/
• Rhymes: -??(?)li, -??(?)li

Etymology 1

From Middle English poorly, pouerly, poreliche, poureliche, pouerliche, equivalent to poor +? -ly.

Adverb

poorly (comparative poorlier or more poorly, superlative poorliest or most poorly)

1. In a poor manner or condition; without plenty, or sufficiency, or suitable provision for comfort.

   to live poorly

2. With little or no success; indifferently; with little profit or advantage.

   to do poorly in business

3. Meanly; without spirit.

   • Nor is their courage or their wealth so low, / That from his wars they poorly would retire.

4. Without skill or merit.

   He plays tennis poorly.

5. In a negative manner; with disapproval.

   I think poorly of them.

   She looked poorly on that suggestion.

Usage notes

• Verbs to which "poorly" is often applied as an adverb to suggest insufficiency or inadequacy: planned, conceived, executed, implemented, performing, managed, controlled, designed, represented, differentiated, suited, built, dressed, soluble, ventilated, known, paid, used etc.

Example: Putting a Clif bar in a Magic Bullet will end poorly.

Etymology 2

From poor +? -ly.

Adjective

poorly (not comparable)

1. ill, unwell, sick

Synonyms

• See also Thesaurus:diseased

Translations

Anagrams

• pyloro-

English

Etymology

From Middle English pouerles, powerles, equivalent to power +? -less.

Pronunciation

• (General American) IPA^(key): /?pa??l?s/
• (Received Pronunciation) IPA^(key): /?pa??l?s/
• Hyphenation: pow?er?less

Adjective

powerless (comparative more powerless, superlative most powerless)

1. Lacking sufficient power or strength.

   I admit that I am powerless over my hatred towards white people in ways that I am unable to recognize fully, both at this time and in the past.
2. Lacking legal authority.

   The traffic warden was powerless to stop me driving away.

Synonyms

• mightless
• strengthless
• weak
• vulnerable

Antonyms

• powerful
• strong

Derived terms

• powerlessly
• powerlessness
• superpowerless

Translations