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
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in no
certainly not
I would hardly think someone with her attitude could make a good manager
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of hardly
Surtain is hardly seen at his locker after practice without a tablet primed with cut-ups.
—
Luca Evans, Denver Post, 26 Sep. 2025
Wishing you week of hardly working, mostly questing.
—Brittany Allen, Literary Hub, 26 Sep. 2025
But if Bogart has it his way, on most days, he will hardly be noticed.
—Scott Talley, Freep.com, 25 Sep. 2025
Tight end is a unique position, requiring the attributes and knowledge of almost all other offensive positions but hardly any of the glory.
—Haley Sawyer, Oc Register, 25 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for hardly
Luca Evans, Denver Post, 26 Sep. 2025
Wishing you week of hardly working, mostly questing.
—Brittany Allen, Literary Hub, 26 Sep. 2025
But if Bogart has it his way, on most days, he will hardly be noticed.
—Scott Talley, Freep.com, 25 Sep. 2025
Tight end is a unique position, requiring the attributes and knowledge of almost all other offensive positions but hardly any of the glory.
—Haley Sawyer, Oc Register, 25 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for hardly
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hardly
Adverb
-
But warming ocean temperatures, rising sea levels, disease and human activity, such as pollution, have severely degraded Florida's reefs, according to the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary.—
Julia Jacobo,
ABC News,
1 Oct. 2025
-
Local nonprofits warn that prolonged disruption could severely strain food banks, which are already operating under heightened demand.—
Hollie Silverman,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 Sep. 2025
Adverb
-
The actor's appeal will no doubt help Chad Powers draw viewers in — but those that stick around may be frustrated by the comedy's abrupt finale.—
Kristen Baldwin,
Entertainment Weekly,
26 Sep. 2025
-
Word of Starbucks cafe closures is rippling across Southern California, with social media posts and letters in café doorways alerting customers that their coffee stop is soon to be no more.—
Samantha Gowen,
Oc Register,
26 Sep. 2025
Adverb
-
Although the closures account for barely 1% of Starbucks’ footprint, the cost-cutting includes the layoffs of roughly 900 employees.—
Alicia Wallace,
CNN Money,
26 Sep. 2025
-
So only one overwhelmed person at a time was allowed to weep when daily frustrations piled up, like barely being able to keep up with a busy lunch crowd or when the aluminum on the bottom of the pan burned and ruined the custard, forcing them to throw it away and waste dozens of eggs.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
26 Sep. 2025
Adverb
-
In the Western Conference, sadly, a Joker alone won’t be enough to win the pot.—
Sean Keeler,
Denver Post,
30 Sep. 2025
-
That is sadly the position Princess Beatrice finds herself in after the recent scandals her mother, Sarah Ferguson, and her father, Prince Andrew, have been embroiled in.—
Lizzie Lanuza,
StyleCaster,
29 Sep. 2025
Adverb
-
The front ants bent their legs and pulled hard at the leaf tip with their mandibles while the rear ants held the leaf still.—
Rohini Subrahmanyam,
Scientific American,
29 Sep. 2025
-
Faith in the mission makes people work harder, push harder and do better.—
Billy Ray,
Deadline,
29 Sep. 2025
Adverb
-
Parents may drink an extra glass of wine, avoid a tough conversation, or judge themselves harshly when they’re stressed.—
Juli Fraga,
Time,
23 Sep. 2025
-
Yet, boards scrutinize their decisions more harshly, and media coverage frames their departures more negatively.—
Essence,
Essence,
23 Sep. 2025
Adverb
-
As the more intellectual and empathetic Vladimir, Winter achingly conveys his hopeful optimism and crippling realization that Godot, in fact, may never arrive.—
Patrick Ryan,
USA Today,
29 Sep. 2025
-
They should never be asked to abide by restrictions intended for government staff.—
Ellen Mitchell,
The Hill,
28 Sep. 2025
Adverb
-
Ohio State University, which enrolls the most international students in Ohio, reported a 37% drop in first-year international students and a slightly smaller number of total international students this year.—
David Ferrara,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
30 Sep. 2025
-
Cook, stirring often, until apples are slightly softened, about 8 minutes.—
Katlyn Moncada,
Better Homes & Gardens,
30 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Hardly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hardly. Accessed 2 Oct. 2025.
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