Synonyms for

Barely

Verb / ˈberli: / Another word for barely — explore alternatives below. For syllable breakdowns and pronunciation, see this word on Syllablesworld.

Definition

Only just; almost not.

Synonyms & similar words

scarce just hardly scarcely scantily hardly scarcely just only merely almost

Synonyms by register

Formal

scarcely hardly just only just

Informal

just about by a whisker by a hair's breadth

Literary

scantily meagerly

Antonyms

abundantly easily generously plentifully sufficiently comfortably

Common collocations

  • barely enough
  • barely alive
  • barely visible
  • barely made it
  • barely touched
  • barely a whisper
  • barely legal

Word family

adverb barely

Usage note

Barely indicates that something is only just possible or achieved. It is often used to express a lack of sufficiency or a very small amount.

Example sentences

  1. He barely finished his dinner before falling asleep.
  2. She barely had time to say hello before rushing off to her next appointment.
  3. The dog barely fit through the small door.
  4. The book was so boring that he barely made it past the first chapter.
  5. The team barely won the game by one point.

Quotes

  • I barely know him, but there's just something about him that intrigues me.
  • I barely slept last night, but I still have to go to work today.
  • She barely had time to catch her breath before the next wave hit.

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