merely

[meer-lee]

adverb

1. only as specified and nothing more; simply.

   merely a matter of form.

2. Obsolete.

   1. without admixture; purely.

   2. altogether; entirely.

ˈmerely

/ ˈmɪəlɪ /

adverb

1. only; nothing more than

Word History and Origins

Origin of merely¹

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

Example Sentences

The interim head coach, Tim Skipper, was eventually mentioned merely as an afterthought.

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Financial institutions don’t adopt new technology merely for the sake of innovation.

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They merely thought the benefits to Israel of fighting on were no longer worth the cost.

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A road game against an opponent with plenty of its own urgency should tell the Bruins whether they’re on the road to redemption or merely picking up speed on a route to nowhere.

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The idea of exempting funds that hold BDCs from disclosing their costs isn’t merely goofy.

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Related Words

• hardly 
• only 
• purely 
• simply 
• solely