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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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 awkward moment caused by Castellanos since the Brenneman incident.
—
Ryan Morik, FOXNews.com, 15 Apr. 2025
But the New York Times estimates that this would only save about $100 billion over ten years, which is hardly sufficient on its own.
—Joshua P. Cohen, Forbes.com, 12 Apr. 2025
This is still hardly equitable, but women have made some gains.
—Kweilin Ellingrud, TIME, 11 Mar. 2025
The distinction hardly mattered.
—Beverly Gage, The New Yorker, 10 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for hardly
Ryan Morik, FOXNews.com, 15 Apr. 2025
But the New York Times estimates that this would only save about $100 billion over ten years, which is hardly sufficient on its own.
—Joshua P. Cohen, Forbes.com, 12 Apr. 2025
This is still hardly equitable, but women have made some gains.
—Kweilin Ellingrud, TIME, 11 Mar. 2025
The distinction hardly mattered.
—Beverly Gage, The New Yorker, 10 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for hardly
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hardly
Adverb
-
She’s been wildly influential without ever being less than unmistakable; no matter what sonic, thematic or characteristic elements other artists may borrow from her, none of them would ever risk being taken for Lana herself.—
Andrew Unterberger,
Billboard,
26 Apr. 2025
-
At the funeral, however, the crowd appeared overwhelmingly in favor of Francis’ openness to the world, no matter the specific questions of church doctrine.—
Aryn Baker,
Time,
26 Apr. 2025
Adverb
-
What To Know Out of the 10 largest economies in the world for 2024, California was fourth, Texas was ninth, and barely missing out was New York in 11th.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
24 Apr. 2025
-
For a preview that's barely one minute long, this teaser trailer — set to 'Wolf Totem' by The HU — sure packs in a lot.—
Fran Ruiz,
Space.com,
24 Apr. 2025
Adverb
-
New York City could choose to double down on these punitive policies of the past that undermine public safety, and, sadly, this agenda has gained steam.—
Stanley Richards,
New York Daily News,
27 Apr. 2025
-
Founder Joseph Fischer acknowledges that sadly, talent alone isn’t enough in sports recruitment.—
Daniel Fusch,
USA Today,
27 Apr. 2025
Adverb
-
Even so, there is no doubt that, perhaps more than his contemporary predecessors, Pope Francis dedicated his days to outreach beyond the faithful, and worked hard to make the Church more relevant in an ever-changing world.—
Phoebe Natanson,
ABC News,
21 Apr. 2025
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Even though the Trump administration has made no secret about its intentions to downsize and remake federal health agencies, many in the field of injury and violence prevention weren't expecting their corner of the CDC to be hit so hard.—
Will Stone,
NPR,
21 Apr. 2025
Adverb
-
Milwaukee can’t keep up with Indiana For a second straight game, the Bucks fell behind the Pacers in the first quarter and never found their way back into the game.—
The Athletic NBA Staff,
New York Times,
23 Apr. 2025
-
Yes, she was defeated by a swarm of bees and then received a kicking from Wednesday at the end of the last season, but her death was never confirmed.—
Radhika Seth,
Vogue,
23 Apr. 2025
Adverb
-
But the Heat then scored just 21 points while shooting 1 of 6 (16.7 percent) on threes in the fourth quarter.—
Anthony Chiang,
Miami Herald,
21 Apr. 2025
-
By episode 2, the former Fireflies make it to an area just outside Jackson and see how heavily fortified the city is.—
Eliana Dockterman,
Time,
21 Apr. 2025
Adverb
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Additionally, in her second Combs case ruling today, US District Judge Jennifer Rochon rejected a Jane Doe motion to keep her real intently hidden.—
Dominic Patten,
Deadline,
27 Mar. 2025
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Sitting cross-legged in an armchair, a woman in a beret and an open fur coat exposing a scarlet dress gazes intently with pursed lips.—
Natasha Gural,
Forbes,
15 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Hardly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hardly. Accessed 30 Apr. 2025.
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