merely
Meaning
"Merely" is an adverb that conveys the notion of something being only or simply what is stated, often implying a limitation or reduction in significance, value, or extent. It is frequently used to downplay the importance of an assertion or to clarify that
💡 "Merely" can sometimes be misused in contexts where a more emphatic term is required; it is important to ensure that it accurately reflects the intended degree of limitation.
Example Sentences
Word in Context
After
a
long
morning
of
revising
her
article
,
Maya
sat
by
the
window
with
a
cup
of
tea
and
tried
to
assess
the
work
calmly
.
She
told
herself
that
the
editor's
criticism
was
merely
a
suggestion
to
sharpen
a
few
points
,
not
a
definitive
judgment
on
her
skills
.
Sunlight
mapped
the
dust
on
the
sill
and
she
paused
briefly
to
wipe
it
away
,
thinking
that
a
cleaner
space
would
help
her
concentrate
.
Returning
to
the
laptop
,
she
reread
the
first
paragraph
to
identify
one
small
revision
that
would
clarify
the
central
argument
.
By
mid
-
afternoon
the
draft
felt
more
coherent
,
and
she
accepted
that
patient
,
focused
editing
often
produces
better
results
than
frantic
rewrites
.
Common Phrases
merely a suggestion
merely a formality
merely coincidental
Synonyms
Related Words
Never forget "merely"
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