hardly
/ˈhɑɹdli/ adverb A2- Barely, only just, almost not. · They hardly ever watch television.· It's hardly possible he could lose the election.
- Certainly not; not at all. · I hardly think they'll come in this bad weather!
- Harshly, severely; in a hard manner.
Comparative hardlier · Superlative hardliest
From the library
At first the little creatures, many though they were, could hardly stir the heavily loaded truck; but the Woodman and the Scarecrow both pushed from behind, and they got along better.
“Hardly,” said the Horse, “can I resist kicking you with my heels.” The Ass held his peace, and made only a silent appeal to the justice of the gods.
They had hardly been walking an hour when they saw before them a great ditch that crossed the road and divided the forest as far as they could see on either side.
It was nearly as big as an elephant, and the green throne seemed hardly strong enough to hold its weight.
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