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
The obvious motive The administration hardly bothered to pretend that Brown (whose distinguished military and academic career includes a masters’ degree in in aeronautical science from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Daytona Beach).wasn’t fired for being Black.
—
Orlando Sentinel and South Florida Sun Sentinel Editorial Boards, Orlando Sentinel, 28 Feb. 2025
That his faux prayer hardly even touched on the show’s nominees didn’t prevent it whatsoever from killing.
—Hershal Pandya, Vulture, 27 Feb. 2025
With Russian influence and authoritarian politics growing in Central Europe – especially in Hungary and Slovakia – and ultra-nationalist and far-right ideas likewise strong in Austria, Germany, France and elsewhere, today’s Europe is hardly a unified political, economic and cultural totality.
—Julia Khrebtan-Hörhager, The Conversation, 27 Feb. 2025
In fact, when Trump installed tariffs during his first term — which President Joe Biden largely maintained — most U.S. consumers hardly noticed.
—Ryan Ermey, CNBC, 27 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for hardly
Orlando Sentinel and South Florida Sun Sentinel Editorial Boards, Orlando Sentinel, 28 Feb. 2025
That his faux prayer hardly even touched on the show’s nominees didn’t prevent it whatsoever from killing.
—Hershal Pandya, Vulture, 27 Feb. 2025
With Russian influence and authoritarian politics growing in Central Europe – especially in Hungary and Slovakia – and ultra-nationalist and far-right ideas likewise strong in Austria, Germany, France and elsewhere, today’s Europe is hardly a unified political, economic and cultural totality.
—Julia Khrebtan-Hörhager, The Conversation, 27 Feb. 2025
In fact, when Trump installed tariffs during his first term — which President Joe Biden largely maintained — most U.S. consumers hardly noticed.
—Ryan Ermey, CNBC, 27 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for hardly
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hardly
Adverb
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Perhaps Noah was no different than Patricia Highsmith, who had not murdered and yet must have found a thrill in watching her characters murder others.—
Yiyun Li,
The New Yorker,
9 Mar. 2025
-
Whenever the Lakers and Celtics get together, sparks tend to fly, no matter if the teams are good or not.—
William Lambers,
Newsweek,
9 Mar. 2025
Adverb
-
The timing of these cuts could not be worse for the millions of families barely scraping by like hers.—
Aisha Nyandoro,
Forbes,
7 Mar. 2025
-
Despite this, experts say barely any research is being done on this overlap.—
Charles Trepany,
USA TODAY,
6 Mar. 2025
Adverb
-
Oscar sadly is too prim and proper to reward its raw sexuality.—
Randy Myers,
The Mercury News,
25 Feb. 2025
-
And your institution is, sadly, more relevant than it’s been in a long time.—
Dominic Patten,
Deadline,
22 Feb. 2025
Adverb
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The second season teaser has Mavis working hard to grow her brand and establish herself as a fashion stylist.—
Etan Vlessing,
The Hollywood Reporter,
4 Mar. 2025
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The market's recent slump has hit shares of tech giant Nvidia and some other formerly high-flying areas of the market particularly hard.—
COMPILED BYDEMOCRAT-GAZETTE STAFFFROM WIRE REPORTS,
arkansasonline.com,
4 Mar. 2025
Adverb
-
Advocating For Continued Investment In CDFIs The need for sustained and expanded support for CDFIs has never been more urgent.—
Kevin Cohee,
Forbes,
6 Mar. 2025
-
Davis’ attorney, Carl Arnold, has also sought to have the case dismissed, arguing that his client never should have been charged with a crime due to prior immunity agreements.—
Matthew Strauss,
Pitchfork,
6 Mar. 2025
Adverb
-
The family-friendly outing comes just days after the 52-year-old Argo star — fresh off his split from estranged wife Jennifer Lopez — and his son sat courtside at the Los Angeles Lakers vs. Minnesota Timberwolves game at L.A.'s Crypto.com Arena on Thursday.—
Gordon G. Chang,
Newsweek,
4 Mar. 2025
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The order comes just days after Trump’s heated exchange with Zelensky in the Oval Office.—
Glenn Thrush,
New York Times,
4 Mar. 2025
Adverb
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Historically, Chime has focused more intently on getting customers to sign up for direct deposit than Cash App.—
Jeff Kauflin,
Forbes,
28 Feb. 2025
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Kim Kardashian listens intently to Bowen Yang by the bar.—
Elise Taylor,
Vogue,
17 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Hardly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hardly. Accessed 12 Mar. 2025.
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