Thesaurus results for MERELY

merely

adverb

ˈmir-lē

Definition of merely

as in just

nothing more than the outside noise was merely a raccoon knocking over the garbage can

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of merely Our hero’s general vibe has been scaled back from nigh-saintly to merely very nice. — Angie Han, HollywoodReporter, 5 Aug. 2026 As tourism economists have long warned, gross spending merely indicates the scale of economic activity – and not how much the host city benefits. — Tim Komarek, The Conversation, 5 Aug. 2026 Customers who merely months ago shopped with confidence, knowing that their Link or EBT cards held enough money, now count cents. — Zareen Syed, Chicago Tribune, 5 Aug. 2026 The account merely has to satisfy Maryland’s statutory definition of abandonment. — Mark Lewyn, Baltimore Sun, 5 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for merely

Recent Examples of Synonyms for merely

Adverb

By chance, her parents and her sister had left the house just three days before the strike, because her mother couldn’t sleep.

— Ava Bambuck, CNN Money, 6 Aug. 2026
In the same way that London is more than just red buses, black cabs, and a rather large parliamentary clock, England is more than just the vigor of London.

— Katie Silcox, Vogue, 6 Aug. 2026

Definition of just

Adverb

That uncertainty has only added to the anxiety for people who see the theater as an important part of growing up in Summit County.

— Spencer Wilson, CBS News, 10 Aug. 2026
The broader significance is that catalyst design may no longer have to focus only on composition, surface structure and reaction conditions.

— Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 10 Aug. 2026

Definition of only

Adverb

There’s a case to be made for every tic-tac-toe set being a travel tic-tac-toe set, due quite simply to its size; but this leather kit transforms one of the world’s simplest games into a luxury accessory.

— Nicole Kliest, Vogue, 8 Aug. 2026
Some travel essentials are simply non-negotiable, from a blackout eye mask for sleeping on the plane to a personal safety alarm for peace of mind.

— Hayley Domin, Travel + Leisure, 8 Aug. 2026

Definition of simply

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mere

merely

meres

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“Merely.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/merely. Accessed 11 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of merely

adverb

Example Sentences

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