Synonyms for merely
mere·ly

English Synonyms and AntonymsRate these synonyms:3.4 / 5 votes

1. merely

   But ranges from the faintest contrast to absolute negation; as, I am willing to go, but (on the other hand) content to stay; he is not an honest man, but (on the contrary) a villain. The contrast may be with a silent thought; as, but let us go (it being understood that we might stay longer). In restrictive use, except and excepting are slightly more emphatic than but; we say, no injury but a scratch; or, no injury except some painful bruises. Such expressions as "words are but breath" (nothing but) may be referred to the restrictive use by ellipsis. So may the use of but in the sense of unless; as, "it never rains but it pours." To the same head must be referred the conditional use; as, "you may go, but with your father's consent" (i. e., "provided you have," "except that you must have," etc.). "Doubt but" is now less used than the more logical "doubt that." But never becomes a full synonym for and; and adds something like, but adds something different; "brave and tender" implies that tenderness is natural to the brave; "brave but tender" implies that bravery and tenderness are rarely combined. For the concessive use, compare NOTWITHSTANDING.

   Synonyms:
   and, barely, besides, but, except, further, however, just, moreover, nevertheless, notwithstanding, notwithstanding, only, provided, save, still, that, tho, unless, yet

Princeton's WordNetRate these synonyms:4.0 / 2 votes

1. merely, simply, just, only, butadverb

   and nothing more

   "I was merely asking"; "it is simply a matter of time"; "just a scratch"; "he was only a child"; "hopes that last but a moment"

   Synonyms:
   solely, plainly, hardly, alone, barely, exclusively, only if, but, only, entirely, just, scarce, just now, simply, precisely, only when, exactly, scarcely

Dictionary of English SynonymesRate these synonyms:1.0 / 1 vote

1. merelyadjective

   Synonyms:
   simply, purely, only, solely, barely

Synonyms, Antonyms & Associated WordsRate these synonyms:3.0 / 2 votes

1. merelyadjective

   Synonyms:
   purely, absolutely, simply, barely, only

PPDB, the paraphrase databaseRate these paraphrases:0.0 / 0 votes

1. List of paraphrases for "merely":

   simply, only, just, purely, solely, simple, alone, exclusively

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How to use merely in a sentence?

1. William Shakespeare:

   All the world’s a stage, And all the men and women merely players; They have their exits and their entrances; And one man in his time plays many parts, His acts being seven ages.

2. Eric Adams:

   You're not going to walk into Duane Reade and take whatever you want and walk out, you're not going to hop over the counter and take codeine and other drugs... You're not going to drive motorcycles through the streets, pulling people out and assaulting them merely because of a traffic accident. You're not going to openly inject yourself with drugs. You're not going to just do whatever you want in the city.

3. Chris Jackson/Getty Images Harry:

   He( William) merely gave me the impression that the Other Woman, Camilla, had made an effort, which Nacho Doce/Reuters appreciated, and that was all Nacho Doce/Reuters cared to say.

4. President Bush:

   To my friends, and, yes, I do mean friends -- in the loyal opposition and, yes, I mean loyal -- I put out my hand... The American people await action. They didn't send us here to bicker. They ask us to rise above the merely partisan. ' In crucial things, unity' -- and this, my friends, is crucial.

5. Oscar Fingall O'Flahertie Wills Wilde:

   Each time that one loves is the only time one has ever loved. Difference of object does not alter singleness of passion. It merely intensifies it. We can have but one great experience at best, and the secret of life is to reproduce that experience as often as possible.