Hardly (Adverb)
Meaning 1
Slowly and with difficulty; "prejudices die hard"; "he was so dizzy he could hardly stand up straight".
Examples
- She struggled to get back on her feet and could hardly take a step without faltering.
- The language barrier made it hardly possible for them to communicate effectively during their European trip.
- He'd been searching for work for months and could hardly afford to pay his rent anymore.
- After the heartbreaking loss, it was hardly surprising that she got teary-eyed when discussing her late grandmother.
- Given his grueling workout routine, he could hardly move his aching muscles the next day.
Synonyms
Meaning 2
Almost not; "he hardly ever goes fishing"; "he was scarce sixteen years old"; "they scarcely ever used the emergency generator"; "I can hardly hear what she is saying"; "she barely seemed to notice him"; "we were so far back in the theater, we could barely read the subtitles".
Examples
- She hardly ever leaves her hometown to travel abroad.
- The new employee hardly knew anyone in the office on his first day.
- He was hardly awake during the early morning meeting.
- The sound of the music was so loud that I could hardly hear my friend talking.
- The old man could hardly walk due to his severe arthritis.
Synonyms
Meaning 3
Only a very short time before; "we hardly knew them"; "had scarcely rung the bell when the door flew open"; "would have scarce arrived before she would have found some excuse to leave"- W.B.Yeats.
Examples
- We had hardly met before he proposed to me.
- I had hardly walked in the door when the phone rang.
- She had hardly finished her meal when she excused herself.
- They had hardly exchanged a few words before they fell in love.
- I had hardly stepped into the room when I felt a chill run down my spine.