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.

See Examples For:

hardly

The New York Knicks celebrated their NBA championship Tuesday night at Madison Square Garden, yet hardly anything went according to plan.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 21, 2026

"It's hardly surprising they'd want to get their own back on me," he adds.

From BBC ● Oct. 21, 2026

It hardly seems possible, but we have reached yet another new low.

From Salon ● Oct. 20, 2026

Onboard, she can hardly walk a few feet without getting stopped for a hug or selfie.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 19, 2026

We clung to one another, hardly able to keep our balance, as we made our way gingerly across the ice towards them.

From "An Elephant in the Garden" by Michael Morpurgo

Vocabulary lists containing hardly

"The Giving Tree"

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Example Sentences

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Vocabulary lists containing hardly

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