SCARCELY Synonyms: 77 Similar and Opposite Words

scarcely

adverb

ˈskers-lē

Definition of scarcely

as in barely

by a very small margin was scarcely able to walk after the near-fatal accident

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in no

certainly not I scarcely think that one person being sick is an "epidemic"

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of scarcely The great mystery of the Iran war is why that hasn’t happened—why, nearly five months later, oil prices have scarcely surpassed $100, even as countries around the world have been forced to dip into their oil reserves. — Rogé Karma, The Atlantic, 29 July 2026 The Secretary of Defense (now known as the Secretary of War) proposes a nuclear strike as a precautionary response, but the team decides that nuclear annihilation is scarcely preferable to a new pandemic. — Gideon Lewis-Kraus, New Yorker, 25 July 2026 Funerals were scarcely allowed in occupied Bershad, and public prayers for the dead were virtually impossible, said Shternshis. — Shira Li Bartov, Sun Sentinel, 20 July 2026 Surrounded by concerned medics and supporters in Delhi, 59-year-old Sonam Wangchuk entered the 20th day of his hunger strike, scarcely able to move unaided. — Will Barker, TheWeek, 17 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for scarcely

Recent Examples of Synonyms for scarcely

Adverb

Some come so quickly that there’s barely time to process how they were accomplished.

— Dave Quinn, PEOPLE, 26 Aug. 2026
Azurá Stevens, the franchise’s marquee signing worth just over $1 million a year, barely cracked a 10-point average while missing nearly a quarter of the season due to injuries and personal concerns.

— Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of barely

Adverb

By North Carolina’s historical standards, the answer should be no, but the bar has been lowered so much that a trip to a bottom-tier bowl feels like a victory.

— Stewart Mandel, New York Times, 30 Aug. 2026
Cole rummaged through an archival box and pulled out a notebook that was no bigger than a business card.

— Laura Preston, New Yorker, 30 Aug. 2026

Definition of no

Adverb

This pick has a slightly boxy cut and just-so crop, which feels modern without requiring you to flash your belly button to the masses.

— Annie Blackman, InStyle, 29 Aug. 2026
Everyone in Los Angeles apologized to me about the weather, which was warm, breezy, and ever so slightly overcast—in short, perfect.

— Becca Rothfeld, New Yorker, 29 Aug. 2026

Definition of slightly

Adverb

But his record of publicly interacting with Piker — including at a pool party just before the primary — remains a sore point among some Michigan Democrats.

— Nicholas Wu, semafor.com, 27 Aug. 2026
Search and rescue efforts are only just beginning, and these first hours are filled with uncertainty, but also with hope.

— Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of just

Adverb

There are hardly any other PHEVs that come close to BYD’s claim.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 29 Aug. 2026
Set within its own natural lagoon on the southernmost tip of the Raa Atoll, the ocean stretches out as far as the eye can see, with hardly a blip separating sea, horizon, and sky.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of hardly

Browse Nearby Words

scarce

scarcely

scarceness

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Cite this Entry

Style

“Scarcely.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/scarcely. Accessed 31 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of scarcely

adverb

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