WordLens

mere

1 of 2adjective
/mɪr/
1

used to emphasize that something is nothing more than what is explicitly stated

C1
  • His apology seemed a mere formality, lacking sincerity and depth.
  • The magician's trick was a mere illusion, captivating the audience with its simplicity.
  • The old book was worth more than its mere appearance suggested.
  • His success was not due to mere luck but to years of hard work and dedication.
  • It was not a mere coincidence that they met again after all these years.
Synonyms:
basiconlysimplepurebareplain
2

used to highlight that even the slightest suggestion or presence of something is enough to have a significant impact on a situation or a person's mood

  • She found solace in the mere sound of rain tapping against her window.
  • The mere mention of his name caused the room to fall silent.
  • She shuddered at the mere idea of jumping out of a plane.
  • The mere presence of the boss in the office made everyone work harder.
  • His mood brightened at the mere sight of the sun breaking through the clouds.
Synonyms:
bare(a)mere(a)simple(a)very
3

used to highlight how insignificant, minor, or small something is

  • It's a mere scratch.
  • In the vast universe, our planet appears as a mere speck of dust.
  • A mere $5 was all that was needed to make a difference.
  • The storm passed by with a mere drizzle, not the downpour everyone had anticipated.
  • After the long hike, the treasure turned out to be a mere rock, disappointing the explorers.
Synonyms:
accidentalpifflingmarginallittlepiddlingfrivoloustrivialperipheralinconsequentialminorminimalpettyunimportantincidentallilliputianpaltrylimitedlightnuancedinsignificantsmallpicayunepassingslightofftriflingmicroscopic