Synonyms of hardly

hardly

adverb

ˈhärd-lē 

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

• severely
• harshly
• oppressively
• hard
• brutally
• roughly
• ill
• sternly
• strongly
• stiffly
• firmly
• aggressively
• grimly
• uncharitably
• ruthlessly
• unfeelingly
• unsparingly
• pitilessly
• mercilessly
• heartlessly
• callously
• abusively
• obdurately
• tyrannically
• insensitively
• savagely
• viciously
• inhumanly
• insensately
• decidedly
• unmercifully
• inhumanely
• resolutely
• brutishly
• toughly
• hard-heartedly
• determinedly
• cold-bloodedly
• assertively
• gruffly

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• lightly
• mildly
• gently
• softly
• kindly
• leniently
• graciously
• cordially
• tenderly
• lovingly
• benevolently
• considerately
• clemently
• mercifully
• charitably
• sympathetically
• understandingly
• benignantly
• humanely
• tolerantly
• compassionately
• softheartedly

2

as in no

certainly not

I would hardly think someone with her attitude could make a good manager

Synonyms & Similar Words

• no
• never
• none
• scarcely
• nothing
• ill
• on no account
• nowhere
• by no means
• nothing doing
• no way
• noway
• nowise
• near

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• certainly
• definitely
• surely
• completely
• absolutely
• most
• quite
• very
• positively
• highly
• extremely
• exceeding
• clearly
• exceedingly
• terribly
• really
• greatly
• truly
• immensely
• enormously
• mighty
• unquestionably
• perfectly
• plainly
• rather
• utterly
• somewhat
• awfully
• mostly
• slightly
• hugely
• awful
• doubtless
• assuredly
• mightily
• more or less
• unequivocally
• hands down

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

• barely
• slightly
• just
• scarcely
• narrowly
• almost
• somewhat
• marginally
• nearly
• minimally
• by the skin of one's teeth
• minutely
• closely
• partly
• approximately
• roughly
• scantly
• more or less
• plus or minus

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• well
• significantly
• substantially
• considerably
• quite
• easily
• definitely
• vastly
• plainly
• positively
• fully
• completely
• unquestionably
• greatly
• abundantly
• generously
• copiously

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

• sadly
• bitterly
• hard
• sorrowfully
• painfully
• mournfully
• unhappily
• sharply
• regretfully
• woefully
• harshly
• sorely
• ruefully
• wailfully
• severely
• grievously
• dolorously
• resentfully
• wretchedly
• plaintively
• agonizingly
• lugubriously
• dolefully
• inconsolably
• cheerlessly
• miserably
• distressfully
• abjectly
• drearily
• dispiritedly
• distressingly
• dismally
• acutely
• keenly
• despairingly
• dejectedly
• pessimistically
• joylessly
• despondently
• forlornly
• sullenly
• glumly
• disconsolately
• ill
• downheartedly
• dourly
• darkly
• poignantly
• morosely
• somberly
• piercingly
• gloomily
• crestfallenly
• cruelly
• blackly
• low-spiritedly
• mirthlessly
• hurtfully
• rancorously

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• happily
• gladly
• blissfully
• joyfully
• joyously
• easily
• cheerfully
• gleefully
• merrily
• delightedly
• lightly
• cheerily
• casually
• lightheartedly
• gaily
• blithely
• calmly
• gayly
• indifferently
• well
• stoically
• dispassionately
• nonchalantly
• unconcernedly
• favorably
• impassively
• sunnily
• mirthfully
• rejoicingly
• good-naturedly
• blithesomely

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

• hard
• intensely
• intensively
• intently
• diligently
• continuously
• resolutely
• purposefully
• slavishly
• determinedly
• doggedly
• arduously
• laboriously
• strenuously
• assiduously
• actively
• industriously
• seriously
• mightily
• vigorously
• steadily
• thoroughly
• sedulously
• vehemently
• amain
• busily
• energetically
• dynamically
• briskly
• feverishly
• steadfastly
• spiritedly
• animatedly
• unremittingly
• exhaustively
• zealously
• conscientiously
• unrelentingly
• willfully
• ardently
• painstakingly
• meticulously
• attentively
• earnestly
• stubbornly
• unabatedly
• ploddingly
• tirelessly
• indefatigably
• untiringly
• obstinately
• wearilessly
• unflaggingly

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• casually
• lazily
• wearily
• halfheartedly
• sluggishly
• listlessly
• languidly
• tiredly
• indolently
• desultorily
• lackadaisically
• shiftlessly
• spiritlessly

Examples of hardly in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

There are tensions related to executive drama—hardly a surprise given the aggressively revolving door in the leadership suite. —Byandrew Nusca, Fortune, 30 Sep. 2024

While hardly hit areas like central and eastern Georgia will see dry weather through the weekend, Smerbeck said widespread showers are expected in Tennessee into the Appalachians. —Anthony Robledo, USA TODAY, 29 Sep. 2024

However, these policies will hardly affect the reggaetoneros who endorsed him. —Nicole Froio, refinery29.com, 25 Sep. 2024

This would be a departure from hundreds of disconnected mini-quests in the base game that have little to do with your central Starborn pursuit, albeit that’s hardly unusual for an RPG. —Paul Tassi, Forbes, 17 Sep. 2024