286 Another Word for Merely? - Merely Synonyms & Antonyms

Want to say merely differently? Here are other words for merely and its similar synonyms and opposite words to say in unique way.

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Meaning of merely

The primary meaning of the word "merely" is to indicate that something is only or solely something, without any additional qualities or aspects.

Etymology of merely

The word "merely" has its roots in the Old English word "mære", which means "pure" or "unmixed"
The word "merely" has been in use since the 15th century, and has been used to convey a sense of limitation, restriction, or minimization
The word "merely" is derived from the Old French word "mer", which means "pure" or "unmixed", and the suffix "-ly", which forms an adverb

Synonyms

only solely just simply barely hardly scarcely no more than nothing but purely absolutely utterly completely totally entirely exclusively completely wholly fully altogether exclusively singly uniquely individually separately independently singly limitedly restrictively narrowly minimally modestly humbly unassumingly plainly unpretentiously straightforwardly uncomplicatedly easily effortlessly painlessly readily smoothly facilely lightly gently quietly unobtrusively insignificantly imperceptibly subtly faintly slightly marginally barely tolerably adequately sufficiently acceptably passably moderately reasonably fairly sufficiently adequately enough sufficiently amply abundantly copiously lavishly profusely extensively widely broadly comprehensively fully thoroughly utterly totally completely entirely wholly fully unconditionally unreservedly uncompromisingly absolutely categorically definitively emphatically unequivocally unmistakably clearly obviously patently manifestly evidently apparently seemingly ostensibly allegedly supposedly purportedly nominally allegedly supposedly

Definitions

Used to indicate that something is only or solely something, and nothing more
Used to indicate that something is barely or hardly something, and no more
Used to downplay or minimize the importance or significance of something
Used to indicate that something is limited or restricted in some way

Usage Examples

I'm merely a student, I don't have any professional experience
She merely smiled and said nothing
He merely exists, he doesn't really live
The company merely broke even, it didn't make a profit
The new policy merely tweaked the existing rules, it didn't revolutionize them

Antonyms

completely totally entirely wholly fully utterly absolutely positively definitely certainly undoubtedly obviously clearly plainly evidently apparently seemingly extensively widely broadly comprehensively thoroughly unconditionally unreservedly uncompromisingly absolutely categorically definitively emphatically unequivocally unmistakably clearly obviously patently manifestly evidently apparently seemingly ostensibly allegedly supposedly purportedly nominally allegedly supposedly abundantly copiously lavishly profusely extensively widely broadly comprehensively fully thoroughly