hardly

[hahrd-lee] / ˈhɑrd li /

ADVERB

scarcely; with difficulty

Synonyms

STRONGEST

barely comparatively practically rarely seldom simply somewhat

STRONG

just

WEAK

almost inconceivably almost not by a hair by no means detectably faintly gradually imperceptibly infrequently little no more than no way not a bit not at all not by much not likely not markedly not measurably not much not notably not noticeably not often not quite once in a blue moon only only just perceptibly pretty near scantly slightly sparsely sporadically with trouble

Antonyms

STRONGEST

frequently

WEAK

very

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Capybaras could attack if threatened, though they hardly ever do.

From Slate • May 27, 2026

It hardly seems as though there is room for any kind of overreaching music director.

From Los Angeles Times • May 26, 2026

"These are little octopuses that live in the deep sea, and hardly anybody on Earth has ever gotten to see them. I just feel lucky that I got to work with them," says Voight.

From Science Daily • May 25, 2026

Yet many of these improving markets are hardly affordable.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 24, 2026

Broken in half, it hardly smoothed her hair at all.

From "Nory Ryan’s Song" by Patricia Reilly Giff

Vocabulary lists containing hardly

"The Giving Tree"

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hardly

Example Sentences

Related Words

Vocabulary lists containing hardly

"The Giving Tree"