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 The problem was that this outlook was merely in line with Wall Street consensus, so analysts didn't come out of earnings raising numbers for next year. — Jeff Marks, CNBC, 1 Sep. 2026 There is nothing to celebrate, merely a tremendous sigh of relief. — Jeff Weiss, HollywoodReporter, 1 Sep. 2026 Opting not to put Stewart on the list that requires a player to miss the first four weeks of the season merely buys time. — Paul Dehner Jr, New York Times, 31 Aug. 2026 Yet the pieces have a unity that goes beyond the merely structural. — Reed Jackson, SPIN, 31 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for merely

Recent Examples of Synonyms for merely

Adverb

If physical gestures serve our relatives just fine, why did our own branch of the family tree gradually favor biological changes in our brains and anatomy that permitted our characteristic complexities in language and precision in speech?

— Mike McRae September 02, New Atlas, 3 Sep. 2026
Unsurprisingly, the Elie Saab H&M collection plays up after-dark glamour, and just in time for holiday party season, too.

— Tina Isaac-Goizé, Vogue, 3 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

In fact, pre-rinsing dishes can waste more water than simply putting the dishes in the dishwasher as is.

— Claire Hoppe Norgaard, Better Homes & Gardens, 4 Sep. 2026
The commission, in court documents, maintains ABC’s lawsuit was premature because regulators simply were in the process of reviewing whether ABC has served the public interest in operating its eight television stations.

— Meg James, Los Angeles Times, 4 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 8 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of merely

adverb

Example Sentences

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