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 This is the kind of test that quickly separates a power station that merely has an impressive number printed on its case from one with an inverter and battery management system capable of handling tough, real-world loads. — Michael Lydick, PC Magazine, 9 Oct. 2026 No human character seems to behave like a real person, and the Other Mommy is merely an impish rogue along the lines of Pennywise the Clown, minus the child eating. — Siddhant Adlakha, Variety, 8 Oct. 2026 The curtain that officials brought down to prevent witnesses seeing Pike’s suffering is merely the visible manifestation of a process that is hidden from voters by design. — Maya Foa, Chicago Tribune, 8 Oct. 2026 Rice chooses us, just as Lestat chooses those who are privileged or cursed enough to become his companions instead of merely his victims. — Literary Hub, 7 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for merely

Recent Examples of Synonyms for merely

Adverb

The questions came after Zacharia made a brief debut to the media on Tuesday, taking just three questions from reporters after reading off a script.

— Michael Birnbaum The Washington Post, Arkansas Online, 14 Oct. 2026
Genetic comparisons revealed that deep-sea viral communities in the region are almost entirely unique, with just 4 percent of their protein clusters matching global databases.

— Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of just

Adverb

One woman writing for Hers described spending about an hour working up the courage for her first weight-loss shot, only to find the thin needle barely hurt.

— Samantha Agate, Charlotte Observer, 8 Oct. 2026
His films have so far ended in darkness, offering only the belief that light might exist somewhere ahead.

— Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 8 Oct. 2026

Definition of only

Adverb

Demand, however, for multifamily will grow along with interest rates, simply because fewer people will be able to afford to buy a home.

— Diana Olick, CNBC, 8 Oct. 2026
While the university grappled with yet another football scandal, an Ann Arbor moving crew simply got to work—sorting, packing and hauling away the remnants of a fallen career, one item at a time, over the span of six hours.

— Daniel Libit, Sportico.com, 8 Oct. 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 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of merely

adverb

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