Synonyms for Hardly
Definition of hardly
adverb
- only a very short time before; "they could barely hear the speaker"; "we hardly knew them"; "just missed being hit"; "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
- almost not; "he hardly ever goes fishing"; "he was hardly more than sixteen years old"; "they scarcely ever used the emergency generator"
4 synonyms found
Writing tips for "hardly"
Choosing the right synonym depends on context, tone, and audience. Words like barely, just, scarce can replace "hardly" depending on the shade of meaning you need. In poetry and songwriting, swapping synonyms lets you match a rhyme scheme or meter without changing your meaning. In prose, varying your word choice avoids repetition and keeps readers engaged.
"Hardly" in song lyrics
See how hardly is used in real songs:
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"3D, you claim to God Lee, not hardly"
Ali — 360 -
"Some MC's think they're nice, but not hardly"
Ali f/ St. Louis Alumni * — St. Louis Alumni (Bonus Track) -
"Me bashful? Hardly"
Apathy & Celph Titled f/ One Two — Bad Attitudes