scarcely able

Frequency: 6.97.1 per million words

almost not able to do something; a more formal alternative to hardly

Categories:

Examples (20)

  • After the marathon, he was scarcely able to stand.
  • She was so tired she was scarcely able to keep her eyes open.
  • The injured hiker was scarcely able to move his leg.
  • After the accident, he was scarcely able to walk without assistance.
  • She was so shocked by the news that she was scarcely able to speak.
  • The signal was so weak I was scarcely able to hear what they were saying.
  • Through the thick fog, I was scarcely able to see the road ahead.
  • With such a heavy workload, I am scarcely able to find time for myself.
  • The concept was so complex that the students were scarcely able to grasp it.
  • He's so shy he's scarcely able to speak in front of a crowd.
  • With rising costs, many families are scarcely able to make ends meet.
  • Despite her efforts, she was scarcely able to make any progress.
  • The old man, weakened by illness, was scarcely able to lift his head.
  • The old man, weakened by illness, was scarcely able to lift the cup.
  • The whisper was so faint that he was scarcely able to hear it.
  • It was so dark that we were scarcely able to see the path ahead.
  • If the storm worsens, we will be scarcely able to continue our journey.
  • By the end of the marathon, he was scarcely able to put one foot in front of the other.
  • He found himself scarcely able to believe his good fortune.
  • With the new regulations, small businesses are scarcely able to survive.