HARDLY Synonyms: 281 Similar and Opposite Words

hardly

adverb

ˈhärd-lē

Definition of hardly

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

as in no

certainly not I would hardly think someone with her attitude could make a good manager

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

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

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

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 hardly Carroll had a pedestrian showing in its scrimmage against Aledo, but the cupboard on offense is hardly bare with receivers Blake Gunter (55 receptions-1,224 yards-18 TDs), Brody Knowles (40-849-7) and Dez Bryant, Jr. — Darren Lauber, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 27 Aug. 2026 Dolly was thunderstruck but hardly resigned to life as a has-been. — Martha Ackmann, Vulture, 27 Aug. 2026 This is hardly an original trope in politicians’ memoirs, but Cox seems to come by his boosterism honestly. — Mckay Coppins, The Atlantic, 27 Aug. 2026 But, nationally, the share of kindergarteners who received vaccine exemptions has risen less than one per cent since Kennedy took office, and the measles-vaccination rate has hardly budged. — Dhruv Khullar, New Yorker, 26 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for hardly

Recent Examples of Synonyms for hardly

Adverb

Ford Motor is increasing production of its crucial F-Series trucks after fires at an aluminum supplier severely impacted output over the past year.

— Michael Wayland, CNBC, 2 Sep. 2026
The water supply system for the park was also severely damaged, along with part of a new $208 million water pipeline project that was underway near the ranch.

— Shayna Jacobs, NBC news, 2 Sep. 2026

Definition of severely

Adverb

By North Carolina’s historical standards, the answer should be no, but the bar has been lowered so much that a trip to a bottom-tier bowl feels like a victory.

— Stewart Mandel, New York Times, 30 Aug. 2026
Cole rummaged through an archival box and pulled out a notebook that was no bigger than a business card.

— Laura Preston, New Yorker, 30 Aug. 2026

Definition of no

Adverb

The applause barely stopped, and the crowd sang along to every word as well as danced in their seats throughout the entire two-and-a-half-hour show.

— Nada Aboul Kheir, Deadline, 1 Sep. 2026
That’s a lot to think about barely two months away from a consequential midterm election in which voters will choose a new second-in-command.

— AJ Willingham, AJC.com, 1 Sep. 2026

Definition of barely

Adverb

Curry is largely there for comic relief, swanning in with a bevy of beauties, challenging Bosley (Bill Murray) to a sumo match, and, sadly, getting murdered by the pool, thus depriving us of Curry’s magnetic presence for the rest of the film.

— ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 26 Aug. 2026
The suite is named The Endeavour, after the airplane of a former owner’s daughter, aviatrix Elsie Mackay, who attempted to become the first woman to cross the Atlantic a year after Charles Lindbergh and sadly disappeared somewhere along the way.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of sadly

Adverb

Yust also alleges prosecutorial misconduct, arguing that a prosecutor improperly urged jurors to sentence him more harshly because of the emotional impact of the trial on them.

— Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 2 Sep. 2026
She was especially hurt that some of the people who criticized Cox most harshly, dismissing him as craven and disingenuous, were those who had the closest relationships with him.

— McKay Coppins, The Atlantic, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of harshly

Adverb

Former mayor Harry Sidhu went to prison on corruption charges, and the two parties never re-engaged on talks.

— Sam Blum, New York Times, 2 Sep. 2026
Peanut Butter Balls Homemade candy has never been easier, thanks to this four-ingredient recipe that’s ready in under an hour.

— Lizzy Briskin, Better Homes & Gardens, 1 Sep. 2026

Definition of never

Adverb

This pick has a slightly boxy cut and just-so crop, which feels modern without requiring you to flash your belly button to the masses.

— Annie Blackman, InStyle, 29 Aug. 2026
Everyone in Los Angeles apologized to me about the weather, which was warm, breezy, and ever so slightly overcast—in short, perfect.

— Becca Rothfeld, New Yorker, 29 Aug. 2026

Definition of slightly

Browse Nearby Words

hard-luck

hardly

hardness

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Style

“Hardly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hardly. Accessed 4 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of hardly

adverb

Example Sentences

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