Skip to main content
merely

merely

836 3.1
Only and nothing more
  • adverb
  • /ˈmɪrli/
translation icon : simplemente
  • This plan is merely a suggestion, not a requirement.
  • merely a tool
  • rather than merely
  • merely a function

But the world is not merely this spirit.

Autoplay Next

Examples

Synonyms

just
vsmerely
1.0

Only the person, thing, or amount mentioned

is more focused on limiting amount rather than simple fact
only
vsmerely
1.0

No more than the thing or person mentioned

is narrower in grammar often marking strict limitation
simply
vsmerely
1.0

You say this when something is only what is said, nothing more

is virtually identical but slightly more formal
nothing but
vsmerely
1.5

Only, not anything else

is the same idea often used in colloquial emphasis
purely
vsmerely
277 2.5

Only and not for any other reason

is more about simple factual limitation than stylistic tone
92 2.9

To say that something is only what it is and not more important

is similar but less dismissive or evaluative
but
vsmerely
  • Literature
17 1.0

Only a small amount or a short time

is the general emphasis form not only a grammatical adverb

Antonyms

significantly
  • Specialized
351 3.5

By a large, noticeable amount that makes a difference

129 4.9

To a large degree

How Absolute

absolutely
1.0
categorically
35 6.5
simpliciter
  • Jargon
9.9
simply
110 1.0
merely
836 3.1
broadly
73 3.5
loosely
43 3.7

Surface Forms

merely positive

Morphology

merely = mere (transparent) = mere + ly

The adverb is a regular formation from the adjective 'mere' with the productive suffix '-ly', so the meaning 'simply' is directly derived.

Etymology

Merely comes from mere, which long ago meant 'only' or 'nothing more'. So merely is used to show that something is 'only' or 'simply' that thing, and nothing extra.