just barely

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.

The S&P Global U.S. services index slipped to 50.9 in May from 51.0 in the prior month, leaving it just barely above the cutoff point between expansion and contraction.

From MarketWatch • May 21, 2026

Their task was to adjust the volume until each sound was just barely audible over the noise.

From Science Daily • Mar. 20, 2026

As they started the business, Fink and Koh headed off to college—but just barely.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 11, 2026

Reaching herd immunity for measles is hard—roughly 95 percent of people must be vaccinated—and when it’s not reached, even just barely, measles outbreaks will come and go in waves.

From Slate • Feb. 17, 2026

Luke leaned forward slowly, moving a fraction of an inch at a time, until he could just barely see around the door.

From "Among the Hidden" by Margaret Peterson Haddix