Find Antonyms
hardly Antonyms
Opposite of hardly
Because the opposite of hardly shifts with each meaning, the 19 antonyms and opposite words below are separated across 3 exact definitions and ranked by contrast strength.
• adverb (Context 1)
Scarcely; barely; almost not at all, or only to a very minimal degree.
Usage Example
"The lecture hall was so noisy that the students in the back row could easily hear the professor."
Strongest
easily
Strong
clearly
fully
completely
readily
thoroughly
• adverb (Context 2)
Certainly not; by no means; used to qualify or reject a statement as unreasonable, unlikely, or untrue.
Usage Example
"After only two weeks of introductory lessons, you can certainly expect to speak the language fluently."
Strongest
certainly
surely
definitely
undoubtedly
Strong
assuredly
naturally
• adverb (Context 3)
Harshly, severely, or unfavorably (now chiefly archaic or literary).
Usage Example
"Fortune dealt kindly with the early explorers during the brutal winter months."
Strongest
kindly
gently
favorably
leniently
Strong
mildly
mercifully
tenderly
Similar words to hardly
Words similar to hardly shift depending on context. Common synonyms include:
barely
scarcely
harshly
severely
cruelly
by no means
unfavorably
roughly
Cite this Entry
Wordmom. (2026). Antonyms for Hardly. In Wordmom Thesaurus. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/antonyms/hardly