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
Trump and Carter are hardly the first pair of presidents to pour rhetorical oil on troubled waters, but the historical results, as with today, are mixed at best.
—
Bruce Yandle, Twin Cities, 10 July 2025
Despite the kumbaya vibes, Santa Monica High was hardly a post-racial utopia.
—Los Angeles Times, 9 July 2025
The clock is ticking, but Jackson is hardly the only extension candidate.
—Jeff Zrebiec, New York Times, 8 July 2025
Nvidia is on the brink of a $4 trillion stock market value — and Jim Cramer believes that is hardly the ceiling for the artificial intelligence giant.
—Kevin Stankiewicz, CNBC, 8 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for hardly
Bruce Yandle, Twin Cities, 10 July 2025
Despite the kumbaya vibes, Santa Monica High was hardly a post-racial utopia.
—Los Angeles Times, 9 July 2025
The clock is ticking, but Jackson is hardly the only extension candidate.
—Jeff Zrebiec, New York Times, 8 July 2025
Nvidia is on the brink of a $4 trillion stock market value — and Jim Cramer believes that is hardly the ceiling for the artificial intelligence giant.
—Kevin Stankiewicz, CNBC, 8 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for hardly
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hardly
Adverb
-
Puma Carina Sneakers Comfy sneakers are an essential part of an everyday wardrobe, no matter the season.—
Clara McMahon,
People.com,
7 July 2025
-
Hook believes that talent will always rise to the top no matter where players are drafted.—
Melissa Lockard,
New York Times,
7 July 2025
Adverb
-
The irony was unmistakable: a man who barely spoke in interviews, who shrank from the stage, whose music sidestepped every commercial instinct of his time, was now the soundtrack to a car commercial.—
arkansasonline.com,
arkansasonline.com,
5 July 2025
-
The Dow Jones industrial average barely cracked 1,000 that year, versus its current level of 44,000-plus.—
The Editorial Board,
Chicago Tribune,
4 July 2025
Adverb
-
The musical numbers culminate in a scene that shows Karolina bravely, sadly and desperately doing the one thing a girl in her position can do — becoming a solo act of resistance in a world of submission.—
Jordan Mintzer,
HollywoodReporter,
7 July 2025
-
These brave men and women conducting rescue operations have saved many people but sadly, there have also been at least 50 fatalities reported, including 15 children as of Saturday night.—
Rebecca Angel Baer,
Southern Living,
6 July 2025
Adverb
-
Other offices covering Illinois have been harder hit.—
William Tong,
Chicago Tribune,
14 July 2025
-
The two are both hard hitting linebackers with good, but not great speed on the game.—
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
14 July 2025
Adverb
-
From Quentin Tarantino’s Pulp Fiction and Kill Bill: Volume 1 & 2, to even playing the seductive Poison Ivy in the campy Batman & Robin film, Thurman, 55, has never been far from a hot topic with movie lovers.—
Jeff Conway,
Forbes.com,
2 July 2025
-
Cartwright, the daughter of an Oklahoma congressman, never achieved stardom, but has some great credits beginning in the 1950s.—
Jordan Hoffman,
EW.com,
1 July 2025
Adverb
-
As a result, their bonus pool is just $6.57 million, third lowest among MLB teams.—
Jeff Sanders,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
14 July 2025
-
Officers responded just after 7 p.m. to Truman Road and Missouri 78 Highway on a reported crash.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
13 July 2025
Adverb
-
The doll listens intently, responds with perfect empathy and remembers every word.—
Cornelia C. Walther,
Forbes.com,
4 July 2025
-
Throughout the closing argument, Combs nodded and listened intently, either leaning back in his chair or crossing his arms on the table.—
Steven J. Horowitz,
Variety,
1 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Hardly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hardly. Accessed 18 Jul. 2025.
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