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

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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 That approval was quickly blocked by the county office, which argued that the move would merely delay when the district runs out of cash rather than address its underlying structural deficit. — Chaewon Chung august 11, Sacbee.com, 12 Aug. 2026 The Arctic, often seen as merely a remote, icy landscape, actually plays a central role in regulating the planet’s climate. — Daniel Peck, ABC News, 11 Aug. 2026 If the Commanders defense plays like one of the NFL’s best units this season, then an offense that’s merely good would put the team in the playoff mix. — Tashan Reed, Washington Post, 11 Aug. 2026 Yet many of these reforms merely legalized developments that had already taken place at the grassroots level. — Rainer Zitelmann, Space.com, 11 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for merely

Recent Examples of Synonyms for merely

Adverb

The park, located just south of the intersection of Highway 1 and Tunitas Creek Road, will be open seven days a week.

— Paul Rogers, Mercury News, 13 Aug. 2026
Our officers did an excellent job removing a violent criminal off the streets, and that was just the beginning.

— CBS News, CBS News, 13 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 14 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of merely

adverb

Example Sentences

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