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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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
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Recent Examples of hardly
This is hardly the first time Hilaria has faced criticism.
—
Christina Dugan Ramirez, Fox News, 20 Mar. 2025
Prime Minister Frederiksen could hardly have articulated a position on Ukraine and Russia more diametrically opposed to Trump’s.
—Matthew Carey, Deadline, 20 Mar. 2025
This is hardly the first time that Wilson, who has not spoken to Musk since 2020, has called out the billionaire.
—Liam Reilly, CNN, 20 Mar. 2025
These facts hardly make today's Russian army a successor to history's military juggernauts.
—Faisal Kutty, Newsweek, 12 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for hardly
Christina Dugan Ramirez, Fox News, 20 Mar. 2025
Prime Minister Frederiksen could hardly have articulated a position on Ukraine and Russia more diametrically opposed to Trump’s.
—Matthew Carey, Deadline, 20 Mar. 2025
This is hardly the first time that Wilson, who has not spoken to Musk since 2020, has called out the billionaire.
—Liam Reilly, CNN, 20 Mar. 2025
These facts hardly make today's Russian army a successor to history's military juggernauts.
—Faisal Kutty, Newsweek, 12 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for hardly
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hardly
Adverb
-
The best part of this local-founded, women-run shop is no doubt the custom cowboy hats.—
Sophie-Claire Hoeller,
Vogue,
21 Mar. 2025
-
The fast turnaround was no doubt enabled by landing the booster back near the launch site, speeding the process of inspecting and refurbishing the rocket.—
Ars Technica,
Ars Technica,
21 Mar. 2025
Adverb
-
The oversight is scattershot, too, as the federal government is barely involved.—
Ron Lieber,
New York Times,
19 Mar. 2025
-
Solomon tends to his bees and barely speaks to his sons, who have disappointed him by failing to extend his legacy.—
Lovia Gyarkye,
The Hollywood Reporter,
19 Mar. 2025
Adverb
-
Right now, Commissioner Tisch, sadly, is a lonely voice.—
Maud Maron,
New York Daily News,
20 Mar. 2025
-
Switching to decaffeinated tea or coffee sadly isn’t the answer, as the polyphenols still remain intact.—
Fiona Embleton,
Glamour,
18 Mar. 2025
Adverb
-
The club’s board have not signed any defenders — when Ancelotti and his staff have expressed their desire for reinforcements in the last three transfer windows — and injuries have bitten hard in that position.—
Guillermo Rai,
New York Times,
28 Mar. 2025
-
Martin’s work has taken on a furious pace in the past few months amid the Trump administration’s campaign against diversity, equity and inclusion protocols and health, welfare and Medicaid cuts that will fall hard on vulnerable Black Americans.—
Cynthia Littleton,
Variety,
28 Mar. 2025
Adverb
-
Atkinson never played a game at Syracuse and rejoined Tampa Bay a week later.—
Eduardo A. Encina,
Orlando Sentinel,
18 Mar. 2025
-
No one else entered the room and Manzano never left.—
Meredith Deliso,
ABC News,
18 Mar. 2025
Adverb
-
The synthetic, dual-fiber bristles (a mixture of fine and thick in density) pick up just the right amount of product to deliver streak-free full application without absorbing too much product or depositing it unevenly onto skin.—
Conçetta Ciarlo,
Vogue,
28 Mar. 2025
-
Alabama is in the Elite 8 for just the third time in school history but second season in a row.—
Tim Casey,
Forbes.com,
28 Mar. 2025
Adverb
-
Leaders need to take time to intently listen when a direct report raises a concert.—
Kate Wieczorek,
Forbes,
19 Mar. 2025
-
Watching intently from the stands at the Cherry Red Records stadium is his father, Phil.—
Matt Woosnam,
The Athletic,
14 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Hardly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hardly. Accessed 2 Apr. 2025.
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