merely

American  

[meer-lee] / ˈmɪər li /

adverb

1. only as specified and nothing more; simply.

   merely a matter of form.

2. Obsolete.

   1. without admixture; purely.

   2. altogether; entirely.

---

ˈmerely British  

/ ˈmɪəlɪ /

adverb

1. only; nothing more than

---

Etymology

Origin of merely

First recorded in 1400–50, merely is from the late Middle English word mereli. See mere ¹, -ly

Example Sentences

India's southern state of Tamil Nadu has a long, peculiar political tradition: here, cinema doesn't merely entertain, it also governs.

From BBC

Taken aback, I responded that I was merely a lawyer.

From The Wall Street Journal

It merely followed a basic understanding of how this award show works.

From Salon

Lewis wouldn’t own the fuel he drilled for; he would merely provide his expertise to gas-starved Mexico and get paid in return.

From The Wall Street Journal

It is not merely that his high-wire act supports and intensifies the drama and excitement that made him the dominant figure in American and then global politics for the past decade.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• hardly
• only
• purely
• simply
• solely