mere

Pronunciation

• (UK) IPA ^(key): /mɪə/, SAMPA: /mI@/
• (US) IPA ^(key): /mɪɚ/, SAMPA: /mI@`/

• Audio (US)

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Adjective

Positive mere

Comparative none

Superlative merest

1. (usually before a noun) You use mere to show how small or unimportant something is or seems to be.

   A mere 1% increase in pay made little difference.

   Humans sing to express feelings beyond mere words.

   Teachers are mere mortals with God-like tasks.

   The mere existence of oil and gas does not prove this is a good place to drill.

   The mere presence of a teacher of the student's own-race positively influences student effort.

   The mere mention of her name makes him angry.

   The mere fact that medicine is available has led to an more people coming.

   An artist is someone who creates something new rather than mere copies.

Synonyms

• simple
• ordinary

Antonyms

• very

Related words

• merely