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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of hardly
As a rookie, there hardly was a tangible sample size to determine if the possibility is there as a 3-and-D factor, at just 3 of 7 on 3-pointers for the Heat last season.
—
Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 22 July 2025
James, however, hardly squashed trade rumors with his response when asked by ESPN's Dave McMenamin about his future during a Summer League game on July 12.
—Tyler Everett, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 July 2025
Public school teachers and state lawmakers fill important roles in a civil society, but those jobs hardly prepare their occupants for the daunting challenges and complexities of running a big city with millions of residents, tens of thousands of public employees and multibillion-dollar budgets.
—Andy Shaw, Chicago Tribune, 21 July 2025
The controversial businessman and world’s richest person is hardly known to be hands-off.
—Preston Fore, Fortune, 10 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for hardly
Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 22 July 2025
James, however, hardly squashed trade rumors with his response when asked by ESPN's Dave McMenamin about his future during a Summer League game on July 12.
—Tyler Everett, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 July 2025
Public school teachers and state lawmakers fill important roles in a civil society, but those jobs hardly prepare their occupants for the daunting challenges and complexities of running a big city with millions of residents, tens of thousands of public employees and multibillion-dollar budgets.
—Andy Shaw, Chicago Tribune, 21 July 2025
The controversial businessman and world’s richest person is hardly known to be hands-off.
—Preston Fore, Fortune, 10 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for hardly
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hardly
Adverb
-
However, baserunners like Vivas need to have more awareness of the signals from their coach as well as run hard to the base no matter the circumstances.—
Drew VonScio,
MSNBC Newsweek,
19 July 2025
-
Here are seven deadly job interview mistakes that can sabotage your future, no matter your generation, preventing you from landing the job of your dreams.—
Bryan Robinson,
Forbes.com,
19 July 2025
Adverb
-
The three-term Republican attorney general vigorously sought to oust Phelan in the GOP primary, forcing a runoff that the outgoing House leader barely survived.—
John C. Moritz,
Austin American Statesman,
30 July 2025
-
But fans do seem to be casting a wary eye as the Blackhawks stare down another year of barely getting to the salary-cap floor, while ticket prices remain sky high.—
Scott Powers,
New York Times,
29 July 2025
Adverb
-
Smile sadly at her, his face an eerie twin of her own.—
Mona Awad,
New Yorker,
20 July 2025
-
For those of us who remember horror films of yore, the fact that Karla survived was, sadly, pretty groundbreaking.—
Yolanda Machado Published,
EW.com,
18 July 2025
Adverb
-
Add all ingredients to a cocktail shaker with ice and shake hard for eight to 10 seconds.—
Jeremy Repanich,
Robb Report,
26 July 2025
-
Nikko Reed, who had a pick-six in Thursday’s practice, broke hard on a KeAndre Lambert-Smith dig route.—
Daniel Popper,
New York Times,
26 July 2025
Adverb
-
Sandberg became only the third Hall of Famer in the modern era to manage in the big leagues, joining Frank Robinson and Tony Perez, though the latter never spent a day managing in the minors.—
Meghan Montemurro,
Chicago Tribune,
29 July 2025
-
The finish is luminous and never greasy, The texture is creamy but won’t slip.—
Kristen Philipkoski,
Forbes.com,
29 July 2025
Adverb
-
After over 30 years in the spotlight, Whitley’s creative momentum is stronger than ever, and she’s just getting started.—
Okla Jones,
Essence,
26 July 2025
-
Musk has slowly moved his businesses away from California, opening a headquarters for Tesla just outside of Austin and establishing offices for SpaceX, The Boring Co., Neuralink and X in Texas.—
Karoline Leonard,
Austin American Statesman,
26 July 2025
Adverb
-
At the center, McElroy feeds Carson lunch while speaking with the visiting family that is clearly enjoying watching the eagle and listening intently to McElroy.—
Karl Schneider,
IndyStar,
21 July 2025
-
Rosatom, despite being a leader in overseas nuclear deployment, is bracing for workforce shortages and beginning to focus more intently on recruiting young people for its own educational programs.—
Ariel Cohen,
Forbes.com,
9 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Hardly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hardly. Accessed 2 Aug. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share