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 Far from merely raising a reactionary fist in the air at the new science, Swift identified an attitude that is still around today — and one that has created many of the greatest challenges now facing educators. — Dónal Gill, The Dial, 8 Sep. 2026 The collective term lumped these women together, robbing them of individuality, and reducing them to merely decorative fixtures of Premier-league broadcasts while erasing their individual accomplishments. — Carly Thomas, HollywoodReporter, 8 Sep. 2026 In the future, this gallery (merely one of 33) may rotate out its exhibit for work devoted to, say, matte paintings or costumes. — Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 8 Sep. 2026 Every Award Show Should Feature a Betty Gilpin Acceptance Speech Calling out Sam Altman is merely one aspect of her now-viral acceptance poem. — Britina Cheng, Vulture, 8 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for merely

Recent Examples of Synonyms for merely

Adverb

Missouri's confusion comes amid a spate of redistricting across the country normally seen just once a decade after each census.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 10 Sep. 2026
Nearly 70% of power generated in India was still coal-based while just over 15% came from solar and wind projects in the financial year ending March 2026.

— Priyanka Salve, CNBC, 10 Sep. 2026

Definition of just

Adverb

Granted, Pollard needs only 1,083 yards to achieve a career high, but the Titans would like to get Tyjae Spears more involved and the overall quality of this offense remains a large question mark.

— Matt Schneidman, New York Times, 7 Sep. 2026
These layers can be conductors, insulators, or semiconductor materials and may be only a few nanometers thick.

— Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 7 Sep. 2026

Definition of only

Adverb

That flexibility makes flow batteries particularly relevant to long-duration storage, where systems may need to deliver electricity for several hours rather than simply provide short bursts of backup power.

— Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 12 Sep. 2026
Protecting someone’s right to reject the American experiment is different from treating that rejection as simply another interpretation of it.

— Joe Daniels, Time, 11 Sep. 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 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of merely

adverb

Example Sentences

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