mere
414
3.4
- adjective
- /mɪr/
:
mero
- This project is a mere formality; we have already decided the outcome.
- the mere fact
- the mere existence
- a mere handful
We must achieve neither mere history nor mere fiction, but myth.
- We must achieve neither mere history nor mere fiction, but myth.
- And culture was far more important than these mere biological things.
- special, that sets us apart from and above mere animal existence.
- The Onion was the star and we mere celebrants.
- But they do more than this, going well beyond mere investigation and illustration.
- You have to feel a greater love than just mere pleasure or passion.
- And outrageous love is, is not mere human sentiment.
- Is there any evidence that that mere fact is creating issues for for kids?
- And all that showed was that it wasn't just the mere action of touching these bumps.
- And we will reveal that in mere moments.
- Now, less intense and flashbacks are what I might call mere reminders.
- This is not a mere annoyance or irritation.
- And then also it could have value as just mere speculation.
- Man, that's a deeper truth than calling it mere fiction can capture.
Examples
-
Then we add some extra points for the mere fact that you're alive.
-
I am only a mere secretary.
-
I am just one mere basic human.
-
We are a mere two days away from the Super Bowl.
-
People will make far too much of this mere coincidence.
-
We must achieve neither mere history nor mere fiction, but myth.
-
Your greatest danger in this phase is the mere hint of routine or familiarity.
-
The individual self is thus real; it is not a mere false identification or illusion.
Academic text (1990) -
He described it as mere flowery language.
-
Background details remain mere ornaments pushed to the margins of the composition.
Academic text (2011)
Synonyms
∞
1.0
Not large in size or amount
∞
1.0
So small it can fit in your hand
594
1.2
Small in amount or degree
121
3.9
Not important or serious
120
3.7
Small and unimportant in position or power
104
4.1
Not important or too small to matter
87
2.0
Small in amount or number, not large
54
1.9
Not worth attention or notice
47
5.9
Not important and not well known, often used for people or small businesses
37
4.4
Very small in size or amount
31
5.6
Very small or unimportant and not worth worrying about
30
7.6
Very weak and not likely to be important or true
29
6.3
Too small to be useful
22
7.1
Very small and not important, not worth paying attention to
1
8.9
A person or thing that others see as worthless
1
4.3
Very small and easy to miss
Small in size or amount, often used in law and food
Not important or worth worrying about
Not important or serious compared with other things
Antonyms
Compounds
How Important
469
3.6
∞
2.5
112
3.7
414
3.4
104
4.1
31
5.6
Surface Forms
Etymology
The word mere meaning 'only' comes from an old French word mere and from Latin merus ('pure'), so a mere thing is 'just' that and nothing more.