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

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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 Santa Monica Fire Deputy Chief Tom Clemo has barely slept since Saturday. — Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 4 Aug. 2026 Three or so months on, such a wonderfully chaotic climax barely seems real. — Richard Sutcliffe, New York Times, 4 Aug. 2026 That second skill is barely being practiced, and it can be built on purpose. — Margareta Petrovic, Forbes.com, 4 Aug. 2026 The return to form is all the more stunning given that book sales overall are barely rising, and Amazon, which nearly felled Barnes & Noble in the 2010s, is still a threat. — Phil Wahba, Fortune, 4 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for barely

Recent Examples of Synonyms for barely

Adverb

Let the cake cool slightly, for about 15 minutes, before drizzling the pudding over the top.

— Erin Merhar, Southern Living, 2 Aug. 2026
But if the answer waivers even slightly, this month will act like a wakeup call and remind you to seize the day.

— Meghan Rose, Glamour, 1 Aug. 2026

Definition of slightly

Adverb

By chance, her parents and her sister had left the house just three days before the strike, because her mother couldn’t sleep.

— Ava Bambuck, CNN Money, 6 Aug. 2026
In the same way that London is more than just red buses, black cabs, and a rather large parliamentary clock, England is more than just the vigor of London.

— Katie Silcox, Vogue, 6 Aug. 2026

Definition of just

Adverb

There was praise for his athleticism and pace, but frustrations were voiced by multiple head coaches and his output — five goals and four assists in 53 league appearances — was hardly outstanding.

— Cerys Jones, New York Times, 1 Aug. 2026
Platforms such as Instagram and YouTube host a new generation of progressive journalists and influencers who command huge audiences, particularly among the young who hardly watch mainstream news channels at all.

— Asim Ali, Time, 1 Aug. 2026

Definition of hardly

Browse Nearby Words

bare-knuckle

barely

bareness

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“Barely.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/barely. Accessed 8 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of barely

adverb

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