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.

Hardly anyone is going to read the full SpaceX listing prospectus — which may be lucky for the company.

From MarketWatch • Jun. 10, 2026

Hardly any other investment newsletters have publishing tenures that long.

From Barron's • Apr. 20, 2026

Hardly fleet of foot—it’s heavy, often pushing 30 pounds, and awkward—it’s seldom given a melody to play.

From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 22, 2025

"From 22:30 to midnight, I had to walk home along the dark country lane. Hardly any lights and I needed the torch on my phone."

From BBC • Sep. 22, 2025

Hardly twenty paces from where the hobbits lurked the small orc stopped.

From "The Return of the King" by J.R.R. Tolkien

Vocabulary lists containing hardly

"The Giving Tree"

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hardly

Example Sentences

Related Words

Vocabulary lists containing hardly

"The Giving Tree"