scarcely
4 synonyms and 1 antonym for scarcely, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Adverb — Only just; barely.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Antonyms
How to use scarcely
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
scarcely believe
scarcely ever
scarcely a moment
Etymology
Derives from Middle English scarcely, scarsly, scarsely, scarsliche, scarseliche, equivalent to scarce + -ly.
Full origin of scarcely →Frequently asked questions
What does “scarcely” mean?
The word “scarcely” means only just; barely. In plain terms, barely, hardly — just barely true or just barely happening.
How do you pronounce “scarcely”?
“Scarcely” is pronounced SKEH-uhs-lee (/ˈskɛɹsli/ in IPA).
How do you use “scarcely” in a sentence?
Here is “scarcely” used in a sentence: “She had scarcely sat down when the phone rang.”
What is another word for “scarcely”?
Words with a similar meaning to “scarcely” include hardly.
What part of speech is “scarcely”?
“Scarcely” is an adverb.
Is “scarcely” a common word?
“Scarcely” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
