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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Words popularity by usage frequency

How to use merely in a sentence?

1. Maya Angelou:

   My mission in life is not merely to survive but to thrive and to do so with some passion, some compassion, some humor, and some style.

2. Paul Seamus Ryan:

   Regardless of whether Kid Rock says he’s only exploring candidacy, he’s selling ‘Kid Rock for Senate’ merchandise and is a candidate under the law. This is campaign finance law 101, he can’t reasonably claim to be merely testing the waters of candidacy and thus exempt from candidate filing requirements. He is a candidate and is obligated to abide by all the rules and make the same disclosures required of everyone else running for federal office.

3. Sorin Cerin:

   If life is merely an illusion what can her truth be?

4. Woodrow Wilson:

   You are not here merely to make a living. You are here in order to enable the world to live more amply, with greater vision, with a finer spirit of hope and achievement. You are here to enrich the world, and you impoverish yourself if you forget the errand.

5. Martin Heidegger:

   Teaching is more difficult than learning because what teaching calls for is this: to let learn. The real teacher, in fact, lets nothing else be learned than learning. His conduct, therefore, often produces the impression that we properly learn nothing from him, if by "learning" we now suddenly understand merely the procurement of useful information.