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

Bovino testified that merely touching an agent “could be assault depending on the situation. Spitting on someone could be assault.”

From Los Angeles Times

It is creating additional, credible pathways so students can confidently explore futures that match their interests, not merely those with the loudest recruiting machinery.

From The Wall Street Journal

In other words, merely because a company doesn’t cancel some of its accused subscribers doesn’t make it necessarily liable for their alleged infringement.

From The Wall Street Journal

How about an animated feature in which a snake is a gentle, misunderstood hero who seeks merely to restore his people’s —er, his fellow reptiles’—rightful legacy?

From The Wall Street Journal

Bills don’t get passed merely because someone drops a draft in the hopper.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• hardly
• only
• purely
• simply
• solely