Definitions

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.

See Examples For:

hardly

This is hardly the first staffing problem for Collins.

From Slate ● Aug. 29, 2026

Gold Phoenix is the 5-2 morning-line favorite, but the Grade 2 race is hardly a walkover.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 28, 2026

Most of the time, that arrangement functions well enough that we hardly think about it.

From Salon ● Aug. 27, 2026

He’s hardly able to parry the upbraiding meted out by Mr. Giamatti’s Jean, fastidiously dressed and radiating pompous self-satisfaction.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 26, 2026

He wanted to chase something so bad, he could hardly stand it.

From "Summer of the Monkeys" by Wilson Rawls

Vocabulary lists containing hardly

"The Giving Tree"

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hardly

Example Sentences

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Related Words

Vocabulary lists containing hardly

"The Giving Tree"