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
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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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4
as in sadly
with feelings of bitterness or grief
his broker did not think that he would take his financial losses so hardly
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5
as in hard
with great effort or determination
the state championship was a hardly fought contest between two evenly matched teams
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Examples Sentences
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Recent Examples of hardly
Musk is hardly alone in throwing his support to a candidate, and plenty of celebrities—from Hulk Hogan to Taylor Swift—have made their opinion loud and clear on social media.
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Peter Suciu, Forbes, 4 Nov. 2024
The election of 1876 was even worse, and over two names most Americans today will hardly recognize: Republican Rutherford B. Hayes and Democrat Samuel J. Tilden.
—Allie Garfinkle, Fortune, 5 Nov. 2024
This scenario was hardly conceivable four years ago, when Trump refused to attend Joe Biden’s inauguration after inciting a mob to attack the U.S. Capitol and prevent the peaceful transfer of power.
—Eric Cortellessa, TIME, 5 Nov. 2024
Hip-hop’s involvement in social justice is hardly new; the genre has long served as a platform for cultural commentary and political activism.
—Shelby Stewart, Essence, 5 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for hardly 
Peter Suciu, Forbes, 4 Nov. 2024
The election of 1876 was even worse, and over two names most Americans today will hardly recognize: Republican Rutherford B. Hayes and Democrat Samuel J. Tilden.
—Allie Garfinkle, Fortune, 5 Nov. 2024
This scenario was hardly conceivable four years ago, when Trump refused to attend Joe Biden’s inauguration after inciting a mob to attack the U.S. Capitol and prevent the peaceful transfer of power.
—Eric Cortellessa, TIME, 5 Nov. 2024
Hip-hop’s involvement in social justice is hardly new; the genre has long served as a platform for cultural commentary and political activism.
—Shelby Stewart, Essence, 5 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for hardly
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hardly
Adverb
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Their loving glances and growing intimacy show a couple committed to choosing each other, no matter what lies ahead.Miguel Santiago, People.com, 27 Nov. 2024
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Columbia’s legacy of quality outdoor gear lives on these Fairbanks boots, and the impressive weather resistance guarantees toasty toes no matter the adventure.Matthew Medendorp, Travel + Leisure, 27 Nov. 2024
Adverb
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Calbert barely registers in the first half of the series, but his friendship with Charles takes up most of the ending.Kelly Lawler, USA TODAY, 21 Nov. 2024
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When is Shop Small Saturday 2024? With a later Thanksgiving, Small Business Saturday barely lands in November this year.Katie Wiseman, The Courier-Journal, 21 Nov. 2024
Adverb
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Those wives, whether alone or in groups, always seem to be sadly gazing at Louis from a distance, like Grizabella waiting for her moment at the Jellicle Ball.Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 11 Nov. 2024
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Jaylen Black, vice president of marketing communications for Planned Parenthood Southeast — which operates health centers in Georgia — said that the stories are sadly unsurprising and that additional deaths have most likely gone unreported.Randi Richardson, NBC News, 5 Nov. 2024
Adverb
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Our emergency management coordinator has been working hard the past few months to ensure we are stocked up and prepared in case another ice storm hits, including having an enhanced response and a plan to help keep folks warm in case of an extended power outage.Tom Kilgore, Austin American-Statesman, 22 Nov. 2024
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Dad worked the young McGee hard and pressured him to do well.Debra Utacia Krol, The Arizona Republic, 22 Nov. 2024
Adverb
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Across the country there are 28 additional federal court vacancies for which Biden never named a nominee, most of them in red states whose senators probably would have opposed his picks.Tobi Raji The Washington Post, arkansasonline.com, 23 Nov. 2024
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The cause was never far from the minds of those present with many sporting the colors of the Palestinian flag in their lapels.John Bleasdale, Variety, 23 Nov. 2024
Adverb
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The building is just a few blocks away from the brewery at 1625 Central Parkway, which is the main production brewery for Samuel Adams beers, according to the company.Randy Tucker, The Enquirer, 22 Nov. 2024
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Stamper has said footage taken just before the shooting shows Stines using his own phone to make a call, then using the judge's phone to make a call.Lucas Aulbach, The Courier-Journal, 22 Nov. 2024
Adverb
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Washington should work intently to cooperate with Beijing to tame rivalry and advance joint efforts to tackle global challenges.Charles Kupchan, Foreign Affairs, 9 Sep. 2024
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Baker seemed skeptical and confused by Republicans’ argument during Tuesday’s hearing, intently questioning lawyers for the RNC about their primary claim.Ella Lee, The Hill, 5 Nov. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near hardly
Cite this Entry
“Hardly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hardly. Accessed 30 Nov. 2024.
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