Mearly vs. Merely — Which is Correct Spelling?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on March 25, 2024
"Mearly" is an incorrect spelling. The right spelling is "Merely," meaning simply or just.
Table of Contents
Which is correct: Mearly or Merely
How to spell Merely?
Mearly
Incorrect Spelling
Merely
Correct Spelling
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Key Differences
Connect "merely" to similar adverbs ending in "-ely" like "solely."
Recall "merely" is like "purely" — both end in "-ely."
Visualize the phrase "It's merely a matter of time."
Think of "merely" as "mere" + "ly."
Remember "merely" by rhyming it with "clearly."
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How Do You Spell Merely Correctly?
Incorrect: He was mearly joking when he said that.
Correct: He was merely joking when he said that.
Incorrect: I thought it was mearly a rumor, but it turned out to be true.
Correct: I thought it was merely a rumor, but it turned out to be true.
Incorrect: She said she was mearly curious about the project.
Correct: She said she was merely curious about the project.
Incorrect: The decoration was mearly an afterthought.
Correct: The decoration was merely an afterthought.
Incorrect: They were mearly bystanders during the incident.
Correct: They were merely bystanders during the incident.
Merely Definitions
Just; only.
It's merely a suggestion.
Used to emphasize a fact or reality.
The results were merely coincidental.
Only as specified and nothing more; simply.
He was merely a child.
Emphasizing a minimal or slight presence.
The task was not hard, merely tedious.
Indicating that something is nothing more than specified.
The noise was merely the wind.
And nothing else or more; only
Their simultaneous arrival at the party was merely a coincidence.
(focus) Without any other reason etc.; only, just, and nothing more.
(obsolete) Wholly, entirely.
Purely; unmixedly; absolutely.
Ulysses was to force forth his access,Though merely naked.
Not otherwise than; simply; barely; only.
Prize not your life for other endsThan merely to oblige your friends.
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
Merely Meaning in a Sentence
The mistake was merely a misunderstanding.
The victory was merely symbolic, but it meant a lot to the team.
She was merely following the instructions given to her.
He merely shrugged when asked about his opinion.
I'm merely passing through town; I won't be staying long.
The film was merely okay, not as great as I had hoped.
The comment was merely an observation, not a critique.
The changes were merely cosmetic and didn't address the real issues.
His apology seemed merely formal, lacking real sincerity.
It's merely a matter of time before they arrive.
They decided it was merely a coincidence that they wore the same outfit.
The book is merely a collection of his earlier essays.
It was merely a suggestion, not an order.
The noise was merely the wind, not someone trying to break in.
The event was merely an excuse to get everyone together.
They were merely acquaintances, not close friends.
It's merely a scratch; it doesn't need any medical attention.
The award was merely a token of appreciation.
The job was merely a stepping stone to her real career.
That comment was merely for laughs; don't take it seriously.
The price increase is merely inflation at work, nothing more.
The scene was merely a setup for the climax of the movie.
The story was merely an excuse for him to show off.
She claimed to be merely interested in the outcome, not involved.
It was merely luck that got us through that situation.
Merely Idioms & Phrases
Merely a stone's throw away
Very close in distance.
The new cafe is merely a stone's throw away from my house, so I visit often.
Merely a question of time
Inevitable and bound to happen eventually.
It's merely a question of time before they realize their mistake.
Merely a formality
Something done only because it is expected, not because it is necessary or important.
The interview was merely a formality; the job was already his.
Merely scratching the surface
Only dealing with a small part of a much larger issue or topic.
The introductory course is merely scratching the surface of the subject.
Not merely a matter of
Not simply or only about a particular thing.
Winning the championship is not merely a matter of talent, but also hard work and dedication.
Merely for the sake of argument
Arguing not because you necessarily believe in what you are saying but to explore the discussion further.
I said it merely for the sake of argument, not because I disagree with you.
Merely a drop in the ocean
A very small amount compared to what is needed.
The charity donation, though generous, was merely a drop in the ocean compared to the needs of the affected area.
Merely by chance
Happening without planning; coincidentally.
I found the rare book merely by chance at a garage sale.
Merely to play devil's advocate
To take a position one does not necessarily agree with for the purpose of debate or to explore the argument.
I'm merely playing devil's advocate here, but what if we're all wrong?
Merely the tip of the iceberg
Only a small, visible part of a much larger issue or problem.
The cases we've seen are merely the tip of the iceberg.
Common Curiosities
What is the verb form of Merely?
"Merely" is an adverb and does not have a verb form.
What is the root word of Merely?
The root word is "mere."
What is the pronunciation of Merely?
/ˈmɪr.li/.
What is the plural form of Merely?
Adverbs don't have plural forms, so "merely" remains "merely."
Which preposition is used with Merely?
Various prepositions can follow "merely," depending on context.
Which conjunction is used with Merely?
Any conjunction can be used after "merely," such as "and" or "but," based on the sentence.
Which vowel is used before Merely?
The vowel "e."
What is the singular form of Merely?
"Merely" is an adverb and doesn't have a singular or plural form.
Why is it called Merely?
"Merely" is derived from the word "mere," emphasizing a minimal aspect, with the "-ly" making it an adverb.
Which article is used with Merely?
"Merely" is an adverb, so it typically does not take an article.
Is Merely a vowel or consonant?
"Merely" is a word, not a single letter.
Is the Merely term a metaphor?
No, but it can be used in metaphorical contexts.
Is Merely a negative or positive word?
Neutral, but can have negative connotations depending on context.
Is the word Merely a gerund?
No.
How do we divide Merely into syllables?
Mer-e-ly.
What is another term for Merely?
Simply.
Is Merely a countable noun?
"Merely" is not a noun.
Is the word Merely imperative?
No.
Is the word “Merely” a Direct object or an Indirect object?
"Merely" is an adverb and doesn't function as an object.
How many syllables are in Merely?
Two.
What is the opposite of Merely?
Absolutely or completely, depending on context.
Is Merely a noun or adjective?
Neither, it's an adverb.
Which determiner is used with Merely?
Determiners typically don't accompany adverbs.
What is the first form of Merely?
"Merely" doesn't have verb forms.
Is Merely an abstract noun?
No.
What part of speech is Merely?
Adverb.
What is the second form of Merely?
"Merely" doesn't have verb forms.
How is Merely used in a sentence?
"She was merely stating her opinion, not making a final decision."
Is Merely an adverb?
Yes.
Is Merely a collective noun?
No.
What is a stressed syllable in Merely?
The first syllable, "Mer."
What is the third form of Merely?
"Merely" doesn't have verb forms.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
