only just; almost not; barely

We had hardly reached the lake when it started raining. hardly any; hardly ever.

not at all; scarcely

That report is hardly surprising.

with little likelihood

He will hardly come now.

forcefully or vigorously.

with pain or difficulty.

British . harshly or severely.

hard.

adverb

very

adverb

almost inconceivably , almost not , barely , by a hair , by no means , comparatively , detectably , faintly , gradually , imperceptibly , infrequently , just , little , no more than , not a bit , not at all , not by much , not likely , not markedly , not measurably , not much , not notably , not noticeably , not often , not quite , no way , once in a blue moon , only , only just , perceptibly , practically , pretty near , rarely , scantly , seldom , simply , slightly , somewhat , sparsely , sporadically , with trouble , scarce , scarcely , harshly , not , painfully , severely , unfairly