scarcely

adverb

scarce·ly | \ ˈskers-lē

Definition of scarcely

1a : by a narrow margin : only just had scarcely rung the bell when the door flew open— Agnes S. Turnbull

b : almost not could scarcely see for the fog

2a : certainly not could scarcely interfere

b : probably not there could scarcely have been found a leader better equipped— V. L. Parrington

Synonyms & Antonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about scarcely

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Examples of scarcely in a Sentence

He could scarcely control his joy. Scarcely a day goes by when they don't see or talk to each other. He had scarcely enough money. This is scarcely a time to laugh. I could scarcely tell them they were wrong.

Recent Examples on the Web

Cincinnati can scarcely afford a slip up and Pozuelo needs to be a marked man at all times on Saturday night. — Pat Brennan, Cincinnati.com, "FC Cincinnati versus Toronto FC: 3 keys and prediction," 5 Sep. 2019 Fortunately for MLB and Padres fans, American football scarcely bothers with recruiting Latin America. — San Diego Union-Tribune, "Column: Despite flaws, NFL game remains more watchable than NBA, MLB," 30 Aug. 2019 The scarcely populated island is part of the Danish realm and has its own government and parliament. — NBC News, "Trump speaks with 'nasty' Danish PM amid Greenland dispute," 23 Aug. 2019 All of the Aeolians, being so parched of standing water (scarcely a stream flows—all rain water is assiduously collected) and occasionally eruptive (only the volcanoes on Stromboli and Vulcano are still active), offer a challenge to any settler. — Antonia Quirke, Condé Nast Traveler, "These Islands Near Sicily Might Be the Last Uncrowded Part of Italy," 22 Aug. 2019 Its first-rate weaponry, armed forces, and intelligence agencies scarcely obscure its third-rate economy, declining population, pervasive societal dysfunction (high levels of drunkenness, disease, and unemployment), and lowering life expectancy. — Andrew C. Mccarthy, National Review, "Democrats Are the True Election Meddlers," 15 Aug. 2019 Except for one brief pop out of my seat, there were scarcely any negative-G sensations. — Arthur Levine, USA TODAY, "Barrel roll at 197 feet: New Steelers-themed coaster at Kennywood sets records, thrills riders," 12 Aug. 2019 As plots go, the notion of old flames meeting by chance, with an option to rekindle, is scarcely unprecedented. — Anthony Lane, The New Yorker, "“After the Wedding” Flouts Its Own Rules," 9 Aug. 2019 Nearly silent and needing no gasoline, the ion drive airplane has the potential to offset some of the biggest environmental impacts of air transportation, revolutionizing flight in ways Brown could scarcely have imagined. — Jonathon Keats, Discover Magazine, "The Origins of Flight, From Birds to Bugs to Planes," 21 June 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'scarcely.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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More Definitions for scarcely

scarcely

adverb

English Language Learners Definition of scarcely

: almost not at all

: by only a small amount of time, space, etc.

: certainly not

See the full definition for scarcely in the English Language Learners Dictionary

scarcely

adverb

scarce·ly | \ ˈskers-lē\

Kids Definition of scarcely

1 : only just : barely They had scarcely enough to eat.

2 : certainly not I could scarcely tell him he was wrong.

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scarcely

Definition of scarcely

Synonyms & Antonyms for scarcely

Examples of scarcely in a Sentence

First Known Use of scarcely

English Language Learners Definition of scarcely

Kids Definition of scarcely

scarcely

Definition of scarcely

Synonyms & Antonyms for scarcely

Examples of scarcely in a Sentence

First Known Use of scarcely

English Language Learners Definition of scarcely

Kids Definition of scarcely

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