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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

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 lack of any direct military action against those nations has raised questions about Russian President Vladimir Putin’s long-term goals and thinking, which Karis said is merely part of the unusual way that Russia now wages war. Peter Aitken, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 Oct. 2025 Whether Hyland has entrenched himself in a 10-man rotation, has surpassed Conley in the pecking order or has merely been a fill-in while Conley works through early-season struggles remains to be seen. Jace Frederick, Twin Cities, 25 Oct. 2025 To merely dismiss the Sazerac as yet another Old Fashioned variation is to miss its charms. Jeremy Repanich, Robb Report, 25 Oct. 2025 If the idea was to create extra tension by continually going back to zero and ramping up to 100 mph, the end result is merely a series of deflations that keeps slowing the momentum. David Fear, Rolling Stone, 24 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for merely
Recent Examples of Synonyms for merely
Adverb
  • In terms of competition, though, Huawei is the alpha dog in Chinese AI chips, shipping between 300,000 and 400,000 of its Ascend AI chips last year, compared to just north of 10,000 units from Cambricon.
    Preston Fore, Fortune, 24 Oct. 2025
  • The storm is due to drift west Saturday and could move on to, or just south of Jamaica, early next week.
    Josh Cradduck, NBC news, 24 Oct. 2025
Adverb
  • Wisconsin is one of only a few states in the country that do not ban the private ownership of wild or exotic animals, Gengler said.
    Quinn Clark, jsonline.com, 27 Oct. 2025
  • However, the demon baby then proceeded to brutally rip apart and kill Teddy, Phil, and Susie, leaving only Lilly and Ronnie alive before the credits rolled.
    Megan McCluskey, Time, 27 Oct. 2025
Adverb
  • The two sides, now locked into competitive postures, might also simply grow exasperated with each another and announce new trade restrictions out of the blue.
    Mira Rapp-Hooper, Foreign Affairs, 29 Oct. 2025
  • When you’re done, simply pop open the large dustbin and empty debris directly into the trash—no tugging out tangled hair or gunk required.
    Mariana Best, Better Homes & Gardens, 28 Oct. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Merely.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/merely. Accessed 29 Oct. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on merely

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!