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.

While many analysts applauded the Supreme Court ruling as a win for the economy, they noted that the fight is hardly over.

From Barron's

There again, you could make a plausible argument that this news is bullish for bonds, because the uncertainty can hardly be good for business and this may threaten the economy.

From MarketWatch

There are dull stretches in Tennyson’s life, but there is hardly a dull paragraph in this richly detailed book.

From The Wall Street Journal

His tales of Sherlock Holmes didn’t always present enough clues for readers—who could hardly be expected to compete with the brilliant detective—to deduce the solution on their own.

From The Wall Street Journal

hardly

Example Sentences

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