barely grazed

USAGE SUMMARY

"barely grazed" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to describe a situation where something has only lightly touched or affected something else. Example: "The car barely grazed the curb as it turned the corner." Alternative expressions include "lightly touched" and "just skimmed."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sports

Fashion

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

24 human-written examples

Barely grazed it.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

In "The Trial of Henry Kissinger" he has barely grazed a formidable target.

The Economist

In 2012, Hurricane Sandy barely grazed Florida, reserving its fury for New York and New Jersey.

The Guardian

And Battier's first shot — a 3-pointer — barely grazed the rim.

The New York Times - Sports

"Demoiselles" was the Big Bang that helped Matisse become more fully himself, but Cubism barely grazed him.

The New York Times - Arts

Rondo's 27-footer as the shot clock expired barely grazed the rim and careened into the hands of Kendrick Perkins.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

36 human-written examples

They barely graze each other.

The New York Times

"All that hair's weighing you down," Karen said, her own hair barely grazing her earlobes.

The New York Times

Both defenders went by, barely grazing their target, and Lacy twirled into the end zone.

The New Yorker

His skin was pale, his mouth very expressive, his pale lips barely grazing his teeth.

The New Yorker

Soy bean that should be spread out at knee-level barely graze the shin.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Employ "barely grazed" to indicate a minimal impact or effect. For example, "The scandal barely grazed his reputation."

Common error

Avoid using "barely grazed" when a more substantial impact occurred. Using it inappropriately can minimize the actual effect and mislead the reader.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "barely grazed" typically functions as a verb phrase, describing an action where something lightly touches or has a minimal impact on something else. Ludwig confirms this usage with numerous examples in diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Sports

25%

Fashion

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "barely grazed" is a versatile verb phrase used to describe minimal contact or impact. Ludwig AI confirms it's grammatically correct and commonly found in news, sports, and descriptive writing. While subtle in its meaning, its accurate usage can add precision to your writing by indicating the extent of the interaction. If you're seeking alternatives, consider phrases like "lightly touched" or "just skimmed" for similar effect.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

lightly touched

Indicates an even more delicate contact than "barely grazed".

grazed lightly

Inverts the structure while maintaining the meaning, emphasizing the manner of grazing.

just skimmed

Suggests a quick and superficial contact.

narrowly missed

Focuses on the avoidance of a more significant impact.

slightly brushed

Implies a gentle and brief contact.

marginally affected

Highlights a minimal influence or impact.

tangentially impacted

Suggests an indirect and minimal influence.

scarcely touched

Emphasizes the lack of significant contact.

remotely affected

Indicates a very distant or slight impact.

superficially affected

Highlights that only the surface was impacted.

FAQs

How can I use "barely grazed" in a sentence?

Use "barely grazed" to describe a light touch or minimal impact. For example, "The car "barely grazed" the parked bicycle".

What does "barely grazed" mean?

"Barely grazed" signifies a slight touch or minimal contact, implying that something nearly missed or only touched something else lightly.

What can I say instead of "barely grazed"?

You can use alternatives like "lightly touched", "just skimmed", or "slightly brushed" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "hardly grazed" instead of "barely grazed"?

Yes, "hardly grazed" can be used similarly to ""barely grazed"". Both imply a minimal or almost nonexistent contact or impact.