Synonyms of hardly

hardly

adverb

ˈhärd-lē 

1

as in severely

in a manner so as to cause loss or suffering

the new judge vowed to deal hardly with repeat offenders

Synonyms & Similar Words

• severely
• harshly
• oppressively
• hard
• brutally
• roughly
• ill
• sternly
• strongly
• stiffly
• firmly
• aggressively
• grimly
• uncharitably
• ruthlessly
• unfeelingly
• unsparingly
• pitilessly
• mercilessly
• heartlessly
• callously
• abusively
• obdurately
• tyrannically
• insensitively
• savagely
• viciously
• inhumanly
• insensately
• decidedly
• unmercifully
• inhumanely
• resolutely
• brutishly
• toughly
• hard-heartedly
• determinedly
• cold-bloodedly
• assertively
• gruffly

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• lightly
• mildly
• gently
• softly
• kindly
• leniently
• graciously
• cordially
• tenderly
• lovingly
• benevolently
• considerately
• clemently
• mercifully
• charitably
• sympathetically
• understandingly
• benignantly
• humanely
• tolerantly
• compassionately
• softheartedly

2

as in no

certainly not

I would hardly think someone with her attitude could make a good manager

Synonyms & Similar Words

• no
• never
• none
• scarcely
• nothing
• ill
• nowhere
• by no means
• nothing doing
• on no account
• noway
• nowise
• near

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• certainly
• definitely
• surely
• completely
• absolutely
• most
• quite
• very
• positively
• highly
• extremely
• clearly
• exceedingly
• terribly
• really
• greatly
• awfully
• truly
• immensely
• enormously
• mighty
• unquestionably
• perfectly
• plainly
• rather
• utterly
• somewhat
• mostly
• slightly
• hugely
• awful
• doubtless
• assuredly
• mightily
• more or less
• unequivocally
• hands down

3

as in barely

by a very small margin

we were hardly able to make it back to camp before darkness set in

Synonyms & Similar Words

• barely
• slightly
• just
• scarcely
• narrowly
• almost
• somewhat
• marginally
• nearly
• minimally
• by the skin of one's teeth
• minutely
• closely
• partly
• approximately
• roughly
• scantly
• more or less
• plus or minus

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• well
• significantly
• substantially
• considerably
• quite
• easily
• definitely
• vastly
• plainly
• positively
• fully
• completely
• unquestionably
• greatly
• abundantly
• generously
• copiously

4

as in sadly

with feelings of bitterness or grief

his broker did not think that he would take his financial losses so hardly

Synonyms & Similar Words

• sadly
• bitterly
• hard
• sorrowfully
• painfully
• unhappily
• mournfully
• woefully
• regretfully
• sharply
• harshly
• ruefully
• sorely
• grievously
• dolorously
• resentfully
• wailfully
• severely
• wretchedly
• plaintively
• agonizingly
• lugubriously
• dolefully
• inconsolably
• cheerlessly
• miserably
• abjectly
• distressfully
• drearily
• dispiritedly
• distressingly
• dismally
• acutely
• keenly
• despairingly
• dejectedly
• pessimistically
• joylessly
• despondently
• forlornly
• sullenly
• glumly
• disconsolately
• downheartedly
• ill
• dourly
• darkly
• poignantly
• morosely
• somberly
• piercingly
• gloomily
• crestfallenly
• cruelly
• blackly
• low-spiritedly
• mirthlessly
• rancorously
• hurtfully

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• happily
• gladly
• blissfully
• joyfully
• joyously
• easily
• cheerfully
• gleefully
• merrily
• delightedly
• lightly
• cheerily
• casually
• lightheartedly
• gaily
• blithely
• calmly
• indifferently
• well
• stoically
• dispassionately
• nonchalantly
• unconcernedly
• favorably
• impassively
• sunnily
• mirthfully
• rejoicingly
• good-naturedly
• blithesomely

5

as in hard

with great effort or determination

the state championship was a hardly fought contest between two evenly matched teams

Synonyms & Similar Words

• hard
• intensely
• intensively
• intently
• diligently
• continuously
• resolutely
• purposefully
• slavishly
• determinedly
• doggedly
• arduously
• laboriously
• strenuously
• assiduously
• actively
• industriously
• seriously
• mightily
• vigorously
• sedulously
• steadily
• thoroughly
• vehemently
• amain
• busily
• energetically
• dynamically
• briskly
• feverishly
• steadfastly
• spiritedly
• animatedly
• unremittingly
• exhaustively
• zealously
• conscientiously
• unrelentingly
• willfully
• ardently
• painstakingly
• meticulously
• attentively
• earnestly
• stubbornly
• unabatedly
• ploddingly
• tirelessly
• indefatigably
• untiringly
• obstinately
• wearilessly
• unflaggingly

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• casually
• lazily
• wearily
• halfheartedly
• sluggishly
• listlessly
• languidly
• tiredly
• indolently
• desultorily
• lackadaisically
• shiftlessly
• spiritlessly

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of hardly

The result was therefore bipartisan, but hardly an overwhelming rejection of digital assets. — Orlando Sentinel, The Orlando Sentinel, 18 Sep. 2026

The Steelers squeaked out a win over backup QB Cooper Rush so their defense was hardly tested. — Hank Gola, New York Daily News, 18 Sep. 2026

But artists can hardly be said to be destroying books by the millions. — Brian Boucher, ARTnews.com, 17 Sep. 2026

That was hardly the case, as Crying in H Mart spent more than 100 weeks at Number One on the New York Times Best Sellers list (a film adaptation was in the works, but was put on pause after actor-director Will Sharpe stepped away from the project). — Angie Martoccio, Rolling Stone, 17 Sep. 2026