BARELY Synonyms: 36 Similar and Opposite Words

barely

adverb

ˈber-lē

Definition of barely

as in slightly

by a very small margin we barely made it to the church on time

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

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 barely On a construction site in Hainan Province, on the sub-tropical southern tip of China, a reactor barely the height of a four-story building has spent 2026 working through the final rites of commissioning that precede commercial nuclear power. — Interesting Engineering, 31 Aug. 2026 The last time he was nominated for an Oscar, today’s monthslong grind of awards-season campaigning barely existed. — Los Angeles Times, 31 Aug. 2026 Woods held the career money title for 26 years, despite barely playing the past five years while prize money soared. — Kurt Badenhausen, Sportico.com, 30 Aug. 2026 For the privileged, the costs brought by war may barely be a blip. — ABC News, 30 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for barely

Recent Examples of Synonyms for barely

Adverb

With Elliot Anderson asked to be the fulcrum of the team, the Argentine midfielder took up the slightly wide-on-the-right midfield position that City have been working on this season.

— Chris Waugh, New York Times, 6 Sep. 2026
The lights on the flanks had slightly different temperature profiles.

— Bryan Hendricks, Arkansas Online, 6 Sep. 2026

Definition of slightly

Adverb

If physical gestures serve our relatives just fine, why did our own branch of the family tree gradually favor biological changes in our brains and anatomy that permitted our characteristic complexities in language and precision in speech?

— Mike McRae September 02, New Atlas, 3 Sep. 2026
Unsurprisingly, the Elie Saab H&M collection plays up after-dark glamour, and just in time for holiday party season, too.

— Tina Isaac-Goizé, Vogue, 3 Sep. 2026

Definition of just

Adverb

The Dodgers walked off the Cardinals with a 3-2 victory Thursday, narrowly avoiding a series sweep at Dodger Stadium.

— Maddie Lee, Los Angeles Times, 4 Sep. 2026
Just like the Tour was fortunate to avoid the enormous wildfire on the outskirts of Bordeaux by two weeks in July, the Vuelta had narrowly escaped being affected.

— Chris Marshall-Bell, New York Times, 3 Sep. 2026

Definition of narrowly

Adverb

Clear areas in which Newcastle can improve are hardly surprising, given the relative inexperience across their squad.

— Chris Waugh, New York Times, 6 Sep. 2026
The Dodgers’ billionaire owner, hardly an average fan, is under intense scrutiny these days, following the sale of his controlling interest in the Lakers and a federal investigation into his business dealings.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 5 Sep. 2026

Definition of hardly

Browse Nearby Words

bare-knuckle

barely

bareness

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Barely.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/barely. Accessed 7 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of barely

adverb

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

gist

Popular in Grammar & Usage

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

A List of Most Commonly Confused Words

Why do we use apostrophes to show possession?

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Popular in Wordplay

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Words of the Week - Sept. 4

Popular

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke

Games & Quizzes