Use 'not nearly' to indicate a greater-than-expected difference between two things or situations. The movie was not nearly as exciting as the trailer suggested.
Pro Tip 2/3
Intensity Reduced
'Not nearly' minimizes the intensity or degree of the quality being described. She was not nearly as concerned about the test results as her parents were.
Pro Tip 3/3
Comparative Contexts
'Not nearly' is often used when comparing and highlighting a significant shortfall. Our team is not nearly as prepared as the competition.