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.

Young families have always flocked to Hartford’s suburbs for more land and good schools, but competing for a house was hardly the norm.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 3, 2026

In one of the others, at Aston Villa, he had to go off at half-time, which was a shock in itself because Fernandes hardly ever misses a game.

From BBC • Apr. 2, 2026

Rubino is hardly alone in rethinking her Easter spending.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 2, 2026

Taylor is hardly a newcomer, but even so, how did you discover her for this show?

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 1, 2026

“I can hardly wait till we start building that pen.”

From "Summer of the Monkeys" by Wilson Rawls

hardly

Example Sentences

Related Words