1
a
: by a narrow margin : only just
had scarcely rung the bell when the door flew open—
Agnes S. Turnbull
Agnes S. Turnbull
b
: almost not
could scarcely see for the fog
2
a
: certainly not
could scarcely interfere
b
: probably not
there could scarcely have been found a leader better equipped—V. L. Parrington
V. L. Parrington
Examples of scarcely in a Sentence
He could scarcely control his joy.
Scarcely a day goes by when they don't see or talk to each other.
He had scarcely enough money.
This is scarcely a time to laugh.
I could scarcely tell them they were wrong.
Recent Examples on the Web
Felicia? Mulligan, who doesn’t have to worry about playing a musical genius or impersonating someone the public scarcely knew, makes the most of a terrific part.
—Tom Gliatto, Peoplemag, 23 Nov. 2023
In the best case scenario, the primary care physician receives visit notes/reports from all the other physicians, but they can scarcely be expected to read them all, let alone suggest that another physician’s decisions be second-guessed or eliminated.
—Torie Bosch, STAT, 18 Nov. 2023
But the negotiations took at least two years before the signing and were scarcely kept successfully secret, so the Iran/Hamas axis had five or more years to prepare.
—Melik Kaylan, Forbes, 13 Nov. 2023
Travel was a luxury that my Black working-class family could scarcely afford.
—Essence, 2 Nov. 2023
The table was the object of tourist lore, scarcely a few decades old.
—Aatish Taseer, New York Times, 9 Nov. 2023
Wynonna has scarcely discussed her daughter’s legal troubles publicly.
—Francesca Gariano, Peoplemag, 8 Nov. 2023
Thirty years later, and in the MGB’s 60th anniversary year, Frontline has enhanced this British classic in ways the (occasionally rather militant) line workers at Abingdon could scarcely have imagined.
—Tim Pitt, Robb Report, 26 Oct. 2023
An unidentified but otherwise healthy baby was an unusual circumstance—but Najjar scarcely had time to notice.
—Adam Rasgon, The New Yorker, 20 Oct. 2023
See More
Tom Gliatto, Peoplemag, 23 Nov. 2023
In the best case scenario, the primary care physician receives visit notes/reports from all the other physicians, but they can scarcely be expected to read them all, let alone suggest that another physician’s decisions be second-guessed or eliminated.
—Torie Bosch, STAT, 18 Nov. 2023
But the negotiations took at least two years before the signing and were scarcely kept successfully secret, so the Iran/Hamas axis had five or more years to prepare.
—Melik Kaylan, Forbes, 13 Nov. 2023
Travel was a luxury that my Black working-class family could scarcely afford.
—Essence, 2 Nov. 2023
The table was the object of tourist lore, scarcely a few decades old.
—Aatish Taseer, New York Times, 9 Nov. 2023
Wynonna has scarcely discussed her daughter’s legal troubles publicly.
—Francesca Gariano, Peoplemag, 8 Nov. 2023
Thirty years later, and in the MGB’s 60th anniversary year, Frontline has enhanced this British classic in ways the (occasionally rather militant) line workers at Abingdon could scarcely have imagined.
—Tim Pitt, Robb Report, 26 Oct. 2023
An unidentified but otherwise healthy baby was an unusual circumstance—but Najjar scarcely had time to notice.
—Adam Rasgon, The New Yorker, 20 Oct. 2023
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'scarcely.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a
Time Traveler
The first known use of scarcely was
in the 14th century
Phrases Containing scarcely
Dictionary Entries Near scarcely
Cite this Entry
“Scarcely.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/scarcely. Accessed 2 Dec. 2023.
Copy Citation
Kids Definition
scarcely
adverb
scarce·ly
ˈske(ə)rs-lē,
ˈska(ə)rs-
1
: by a narrow margin : only just
had scarcely made the train in time
2
a
: certainly not
could scarcely tell them they were wrong
b
: probably not
could scarcely have chosen a better leader
More from Merriam-Webster on scarcely
Nglish: Translation of scarcely for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of scarcely for Arabic Speakers
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share