Merely is defined as nothing more or only.
—used to say that something or someone is small, unimportant, etc. —used to say that something small is important or has a big effect or influence. It was merely a suggestion. [+] more examples [-] hide examples [+] Example sentences [-] Hide examples. She got the job merely because her father owns the company. [=the only reason she got the job was because her father owns the company]. Your essay merely hints at the real problem. It's not merely a matter of cost, but whether she's old enough to go on holiday alone. It's important to write these goals down, rather than merely think about them. Definition from the Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English. Advanced Learner's Dictionary. merely adverb (NOT LARGE/IMPORTANT). C2 used to ​emphasize that something is not ​large, ​important, or ​effective when ​compared to something ​else: The ​medicine won't ​cure her-it merely ​stops the ​pain. (Definition of merely from the Cambridge Advanced Learners Dictionary & Thesaurus © Cambridge University Press). Learner's definition of MERELY. : only, just — used to say that someone or something is small, unimportant, etc. — used to describe the only reason for something or the only effect of something. This is merely a minor delay. They were merely children when their father died. adverb. Merely is defined as nothing more or only. An example of merely is just a little bit of exercise.
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merely definition