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Definitions

barely

[bair-lee] / ˈbɛər li /
ADJECTIVE
not quite
Synonyms


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.

Barely a decade after being crowned soccer world champions, England was about to miss out on qualifying for its second straight World Cup finals.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 1, 2026

Barely a day goes by where she doesn’t bump into former co-workers from the hospital — at the grocery store or the coffee shop or school pick-up.

From Salon • May 27, 2026

Barely four weeks after waving his goodbyes, O'Neill was back and Hearts were six points clear, with both sides 20 matches into the campaign.

From BBC • May 15, 2026

Barely any tanker traffic has been transiting the Strait of Hormuz, which normally carries 20% of the world’s oil.

From Barron's • Mar. 15, 2026

Barely a second later it starts to ring.

From "Five Feet Apart" by Rachael Lippincott




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