(よほど)

よほど
adverb
considerably, very much
1. considerably, to a great extent, very much
Indicates that something is to a much greater degree than expected or normal.
余程(よほど)(つか)れていたらしい。
It seems they were considerably tired.
余程(よほど)のことがない(かぎ)(やす)まない。
I don't take time off unless something really serious happens.
あの(ひと)余程(よほど)自信(じしん)があるのだろう。
That person must have a great deal of confidence.
2. almost, nearly, on the verge of
Indicates that one nearly did something or was very close to a certain action or state.
余程(よほど)(ことわ)ろうかと(おも)った。
I nearly turned it down.
余程(よほど)(かえ)ろうかと(おも)ったが、最後(さいご)まで(のこ)った。
I almost went home, but I stayed until the end.
あまりにも失礼(しつれい)で、余程(よほど)(おこ)ろうかと(おも)ったが我慢(がまん)した。
It was so rude that I nearly got angry, but I held back.

余程(よほど) emphasizes that something is to a considerably greater degree than expected. It carries a sense of surprise or emphasis about the extent of something.

SENSE 1 - CONSIDERABLY:

Indicates a high degree, often implying 'it must be quite...' or 'really very...'

  • 余程(よほど)(つか)れていた: was considerably tired
  • 余程(よほど)自信(じしん)がある: has a great deal of confidence
  • 余程(よほど)のこと: something extraordinary
  • 余程(よほど)のことがない(かぎ)り: unless something extraordinary happens

SENSE 2 - NEARLY:

Expresses that one was on the verge of doing something, often implying restraint.

  • 余程(よほど)〜ようかと(おも)った: nearly did ~

VARIANT:
よっぽど is a more casual spoken form with identical meaning. 余程(よほど) and よほど are more neutral to slightly formal.