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.

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ˈmerely British  

/ ˈmɪəlɪ /

adverb

1. only; nothing more than

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Etymology

Origin of merely

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

Example Sentences

In any case, he insists, "Yes" is not about Israel per se; rather, the country serves merely as a setting in which to observe that "strong feeling of chaos" he sees in the world today.

From Barron's • Apr. 3, 2026

We spoke merely hours before the debut of “Freestyle: A Love Story,” a stage production that follows two lovers who meet at a freestyle show — then reconnect at a concert 20 years later.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 31, 2026

Exxon Mobil attorneys responded that Mr. Bonta didn’t merely make the offending statements in his 2024 lawsuit or in his press conference announcing it.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 30, 2026

Kebede said schools would struggle to fund an increase in teachers' pay of even 2% next year from their budgets, and the inclusion fund would "merely soften the blow of underfunding".

From BBC • Mar. 28, 2026

What they had just seen was not merely unexpected; it was utterly impossible.

From "The Unseen Guest" by Maryrose Wood

Related Words

• hardly
• only
• purely
• simply
• solely