Hardly
Hardly adverb - In a manner so as to cause loss or suffering.
Not exactly and hardly are semantically related In some cases you can replace phrase "Not exactly" with "Hardly", this terms are similar.
Nearby Word: hard
Not exactly
Hardly and not exactly are semantically related in not at all topic. Sometimes you can replace term "Hardly" with "Not exactly", this terms are similar.
Mutual synonyms
Both terms in one sentence
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Although, while he might have a point, since the Master (as noted below) is hardly in the running for Boss of the Year he's not exactly in a position to lecture.
Source: Bad Boss -
Not exactly this, as the first games hardly matter, but then the trope really kicks in when the game reaches Big Points territory.
Source: Golden Snitch -
They're not exactly villainous, but they're hardly helpful, either.
Source: Video Game / Lost Horizon
Cite this Source
Not exactly and Hardly. (2016). Retrieved 2026, August 02, from https://thesaurus.plus/related/hardly/not_exactly
Hardly & Not exactly. N.p., 2016. Web. 02 Aug. 2026. <https://thesaurus.plus/related/hardly/not_exactly>.
Not exactly or Hardly. 2016. Accessed August 02, 2026. https://thesaurus.plus/related/hardly/not_exactly.
Google Ngram Viewer shows how "hardly" and "not exactly" have occurred on timeline