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
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4
as in sadly
with feelings of bitterness or grief
his broker did not think that he would take his financial losses so hardly
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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
But advocates note that in expensive places like the Bay Area, where about half of renters spend more than 30% of their income on housing, having a job hardly guarantees being able to afford market-rate rents.
—
Ethan Varian, Mercury News, 9 May 2025
Listen to this article DENVER — Connor Joe came home and hardly played.
—Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 May 2025
The New Yorker, likewise, has hardly proved immune to the mongering of doom.
—Anthony Lane, New Yorker, 5 May 2025
It should be noted, however, that Kiper was hardly alone in his overvaluation of Sanders.
—Jim Reineking, USA Today, 29 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for hardly
Ethan Varian, Mercury News, 9 May 2025
Listen to this article DENVER — Connor Joe came home and hardly played.
—Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 May 2025
The New Yorker, likewise, has hardly proved immune to the mongering of doom.
—Anthony Lane, New Yorker, 5 May 2025
It should be noted, however, that Kiper was hardly alone in his overvaluation of Sanders.
—Jim Reineking, USA Today, 29 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for hardly
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hardly
Adverb
-
Each sunset experience is limited to a group no larger than eight, and includes a bottle of wine or Prosecco and a charcuterie board.—
Kelsey Glennon,
Southern Living,
8 May 2025
-
Everyone needs a hunting partner, no matter how ornery.—
Natalie Krebs,
Outdoor Life,
8 May 2025
Adverb
-
Just a whisper south of Palm Beach, the tiny seaside town of Manalapan—barely 2.4 square miles and home to fewer than 500 residents—has suddenly become the South Florida destination of choice for the world’s wealthiest home buyers.—
Abby Montanez,
Robb Report,
4 May 2025
-
Ellie’s resourcefulness, and her understanding that she can be bitten without turning, barely gets them out alive, and forces her to tell Dina the truth about her immunity.—
Alan Sepinwall,
Rolling Stone,
4 May 2025
Adverb
-
And for students of color, these statistics are sadly graver, with federal data suggesting that high schools that predominantly educate Black and Hispanic children offer advanced curricula, like calculus and physics, at lower rates than predominantly white institutions.—
Essence,
Essence,
8 May 2025
-
Previously in a loving home, Amber was sadly returned through no fault of her own due to a family member’s allergies.—
Trish Stinger,
Kansas City Star,
7 May 2025
Adverb
-
Even though there could be more attacks, emergency workers are on the ground putting out fires and cleaning up damage as medical staff worked hard to help the injured.—
Dragana Jovanovic,
ABC News,
3 May 2025
-
And the foundation was good, and Ray had to expand on it and had to work hard.—
Dom Amore,
Hartford Courant,
3 May 2025
Adverb
-
Abrego Garcia has no criminal record and his family says he was never involved with a gang.—
Kiki Intarasuwan,
CBS News,
5 May 2025
-
By focusing on the performers — what might be fun for them or give them comedy tools to play with — the costume department never gets lost in a sea of ruffled collars and furry suits.—
Sarah Shachat,
IndieWire,
4 May 2025
Adverb
-
And just to keep things interesting, Kingston wasn’t quite done adventuring.—
Jasmine Baehr,
FOXNews.com,
3 May 2025
-
Blue made her tour debut on the 2023 Renaissance World Tour in Paris at just 11 years old.—
Caché McClay,
USA Today,
3 May 2025
Adverb
-
Global markets will be watching the meeting intently for any signs of a thaw or continued standoff between the world’s two biggest economies.—
Colin Meyn,
The Hill,
9 May 2025
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As potential jurors spoke, Combs — who is also sporting a gray beard — listened intently, wrote down notes and scanned the room, occasionally whispering to his attorney, Marc Agnifilo.—
Liam Quinn,
People.com,
7 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Hardly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hardly. Accessed 14 May. 2025.
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