Definitions

rarely

[rair-lee] / ˈrɛər li /

ADVERB

not often; exceptionally

Synonyms

STRONGEST

barely hardly infrequently seldom

WEAK

almost never extra extraordinarily extremely finely hardly ever little notably now and then on rare occasions once in a while once in blue moon remarkably scarcely ever singularly uncommon uncommonly unfrequently unoften unusually

Antonyms

WEAK

frequently regularly

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.

Rarely did her expression stray from a furrowed brow.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 8, 2026

Rarely does anyone consider it a serious cooking ingredient.

From Salon • Jun. 2, 2026

Rarely have the possible outcomes for the economy been so dramatically divergent as those laid out by Lazar and Weinberg.

From Barron's • May 1, 2026

Rarely is that the case over extended periods.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 16, 2026

Rarely has a state so avidly supported the pursuit of knowledge.

From "Cosmos" by Carl Sagan

Vocabulary lists containing rarely

Jim Burke's Academic Vocabulary List

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Academic Vocabulary: Core Tier 2 Words, List 9

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Rosetta Stone's Essential Academic Vocabulary: Lesson 17

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