as in slightly
by a very small margin
we barely made it to the church on time
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Recent Examples of barely
In the final moments, Molly lurches forward into this brave new world, with nothing but the overalls on her back and her best friend who can barely start her car.
—
Glenn Garner, Deadline, 9 June 2025
Eight years ago, Hurricane Harvey barreled in off the Gulf of Mexico and lingered, pouring four days of rain over the city of Houston.
Unlike North Carolina's steep mountains, Houston is low, barely rising above sea level.
—Laura Sullivan, NPR, 8 June 2025
Lexi Wood’s time in Bravo’s Summer House has come to an end after barely one season.
—Dave Nemetz, TVLine, 6 June 2025
The Dalmatian was discovered in dire condition by officials for the Pennsylvania Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) with barely any light left in her eyes, the shelter said.
—Tj MacIas, Miami Herald, 30 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for barely
Glenn Garner, Deadline, 9 June 2025
Eight years ago, Hurricane Harvey barreled in off the Gulf of Mexico and lingered, pouring four days of rain over the city of Houston.
Unlike North Carolina's steep mountains, Houston is low, barely rising above sea level.
—Laura Sullivan, NPR, 8 June 2025
Lexi Wood’s time in Bravo’s Summer House has come to an end after barely one season.
—Dave Nemetz, TVLine, 6 June 2025
The Dalmatian was discovered in dire condition by officials for the Pennsylvania Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) with barely any light left in her eyes, the shelter said.
—Tj MacIas, Miami Herald, 30 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for barely
Recent Examples of Synonyms for barely
Adverb
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Keep scrolling to check out my 10 go-to beach essentials, with prices starting at just $9.—
Toni Sutton,
People.com,
7 June 2025
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Waldorf Astoria Costa Rica Punta Cacique just opened in Guanacaste—and T+L was the first to check in.—
Kristin Braswell,
Travel + Leisure,
7 June 2025
Adverb
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Trump’s administration is hardly equivalent to what prevailed in the old South.—
Steve Chapman,
Chicago Tribune,
4 June 2025
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The legion of Taylor Swift fans is hardly limited to young female supporters.—
Pete Grathoff,
Kansas City Star,
4 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Barely.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/barely. Accessed 17 Jun. 2025.
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