Synonyms

scarcely

American

[skairs-lee] / ˈskɛərs li /

adverb

barely; hardly; not quite.

The light is so dim we can scarcely see.
definitely not.

This is scarcely the time to raise such questions.
probably not.

You could scarcely have chosen better.

scarcely British

/ ˈskɛəslɪ /

adverb

hardly at all; only just
ironic probably not or definitely not

that is scarcely justification for your actions

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Usage

See hardly.

Related Words

See hardly.

Etymology

Origin of scarcely

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English; scarce, -ly

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The 43-year-old reiterated to his players the importance of approaching their trip to face fourth-tier opposition with the right mentality, but his words could scarcely have prepared them for the messy reality on the ground.

From BBC

So far, key facts about Newsom’s policy priorities have scarcely gone beyond California’s borders.

From Salon

She scarcely heard someone cry, “Your team won!”

From Literature

He could scarcely imagine sixty days in a house like that, let alone sixty years.

From Literature

Elliott might be one of England's most talented young players, but where he starts next season could scarcely be more in doubt.

From BBC

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023