What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
narrowly
Example
The team narrowly won the game in the final seconds. [narrowly: adverb]
Example
I narrowly avoided getting hit by a car while crossing the street. [narrowly: adverb]
Example
The article focuses narrowly on the economic impact of the pandemic. [narrowly: adverb]
barely
Example
She barely passed the exam with a score of 60%. [barely: adverb]
Example
We barely had enough money to pay the rent this month. [barely: adverb]
Example
He barely made it to the meeting on time after getting stuck in traffic. [barely: adverb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Barely is more commonly used than narrowly in everyday language. Barely is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while narrowly is less common and often used in specific situations.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between narrowly and barely?
Both narrowly and barely are relatively formal words that are appropriate for use in academic or professional writing.
