scarcely
/ˈskɛrsli/
adverb
- Only just; almost not; barely.
- The old car could scarcely make it up the steep hill.
- I could scarcely hear the teacher over the noise of the construction outside.
- She had scarcely finished her homework when her friend called to go out.
- Certainly not; used to emphasize that something is unlikely or impossible.
- There is scarcely any reason to worry; everything is under control.
- He would scarcely have forgotten his own wedding anniversary.
- You can scarcely expect to pass the test if you don't study.