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View synonyms for

scarcely

[ skairs-lee ]

adverb

  1. barely; hardly; not quite:

    The light is so dim we can scarcely see.

  2. definitely not:

    This is scarcely the time to raise such questions.

  3. probably not:

    You could scarcely have chosen better.



scarcely

/ ˈɛəɪ /

adverb

  1. hardly at all; only just
  2. 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
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Usage Note

See hardly.
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Usage

See hardly
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Word History and Origins

Origin of scarcely1

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

See hardly.
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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

On the pitch the campaign started with no wins from their first three games in all competitions but they kickstarted things with a 2-0 victory at Sheffield Wednesday and scarcely looked back.

From

In today’s representative democracies, most citizens vote for and against proposals they scarcely understand.

From

Now, 50 years since the record's release, the woman who delivered those words can still scarcely believe her 15 seconds of fame.

From

Ms Byanyima said she feared a return to the 1990s, when HIV medication was scarcely available in poorer countries, and infections and deaths soared.

From

The France international, despite arguably being the face of the club with Mbappe gone, has scarcely been given any kind of preferential treatment.

From

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scarce as hen's teethscarcely ever