merely

adv.

1. 仅仅；只不过
   used meaning ‘only’ or ‘simply’ to emphasize a fact or sth that you are saying
   1. It is not merely a job, but a way of life.
      这不仅仅是一份工作，而且是一种生活方式。
   2. He said nothing, merely smiled and watched her.
      他什么也没说，只是微笑着看着她。
   3. They agreed to go merely because they were getting paid for it.
      他们同意去只是因为他们会得到酬劳。
   4. I'm merely stating what everybody knows anyway.
      我说的不过是些常识。

1. ADV 只不过;仅仅
   You use merely to emphasize that something is only what you say and not better, more important, or more exciting.
   1. Michael is now merely a good friend...
      迈克尔现在仅仅是个不错的朋友而已。
   2. Francis Watson was far from being merely a furniture expert...
      弗朗西斯·沃森远远不止是个家具行家。
   3. Merely because you believe a thing is right, it isn't automatically so...
      事情不会仅仅因为你相信它是对的，就会必然如此。
   4. They are offering merely technical assistance.
      他们仅仅是在提供技术援助。
2. ADV 只不过，仅仅(用于强调数量之小)
   You use merely to emphasize that a particular amount or quantity is very small.
   1. The brain accounts for merely three per cent of body weight.
      大脑仅占体重的3%。
3. PHRASE 不仅仅
   You use not merely before the less important of two contrasting statements, as a way of emphasizing the more important statement.
   1. The team needs players who want to play cricket for England, not merely any country that will have them...
      球队需要的是想为英格兰而战的板球选手，而不是愿为任何国家打球的选手。
   2. His were not merely crimes of theft but of violence against elderly people.
      他所犯的不止是偷窃罪，而是针对老年人的暴力犯罪。

1. Ben had merely changed his shirt
   本仅仅换了件衬衫。
2. He merely cleared and concreted the floors.
   他只是把地面清理之后浇上了混凝土。
3. The Council was merely given a condensed version of what had already been disclosed in Washington.
   地方议会只得到了华盛顿已披露内容的压缩版。
4. Taxation is not popular in principle, merely acceptable in context
   征税基本上是不受欢迎的，在一定情境中才勉强为人接受。
5. He was not a dishonourable man, he was merely a professional.
   他不是个不知羞耻的人，他只是个专业人士。
6. Music is merely an enhancement to the power of her words
   音乐只是增强了她话语的力度。
7. They are not merely helpless victims.
   他们并非无助的受害者。
8. Michael is now merely a good friend
   迈克尔现在仅仅是个不错的朋友而已。
9. Francis Watson was far from being merely a furniture expert
   弗朗西斯·沃森远远不止是个家具行家。
10. Merely because you believe a thing is right, it isn't automatically so
    事情不会仅仅因为你相信它是对的，就会必然如此。
11. They are offering merely technical assistance.
    他们仅仅是在提供技术援助。
12. The brain accounts for merely three per cent of body weight.
    大脑仅占体重的3%。
13. The team needs players who want to play cricket for England, not merely any country that will have them
    球队需要的是想为英格兰而战的板球选手，而不是愿为任何国家打球的选手。
14. His were not merely crimes of theft but of violence against elderly people.
    他所犯的不止是偷窃罪，而是针对老年人的暴力犯罪。
15. It merely underlines our rather more nonchalant attitude to life.
    这仅仅是更凸显了我们相当漠然的生活态度。
16. When I finally posed the question, 'Why?' he merely shrugged.
    当我最后问“为什么”时，他只是耸了耸肩。
17. By pushing aside unpleasant thoughts they merely repress these thoughts
    他们对不愉快的想法不予理会，其结果仅仅是压制了这些想法。
18. The authorities have been too pusillanimous in merely condemning the violence.
    当局对暴行只是进行了谴责，真是太胆小怕事了。
19. The letter merely restated the law of the land.
    这封信只不过重复了一下土地法。
20. You are merely reciting facts that you have learned by rote.
    你只是在背诵自己死记硬背下来的东西。
21. This merely strengthens our resolve to win the league
    这只会更加坚定我们赢得联赛的决心。
22. He is titular head, and merely signs laws occasionally.
    他是名义上的首脑，不过偶尔签字批准法律法规。
23. She had no appetite, and merely toyed with the bread and cheese.
    她没有胃口，只是拨弄着面包和奶酪。
24. For many the philosophy was merely a fashion, and the novelty soon wore off
    对许多人来说哲学只是一种时髦罢了，不久就没新鲜感了。
25. It is merely [ simply] a matter of time.
    这仅仅是时间问题。
26. You need not flare up merely because I mentioned your work.
    你大可不必因为我提到你的工作就动怒。
27. He merely said,“ H'm ”, and went away.
    他嗯了一声，就走了。
28. This is not merely a matter of wording.
    这不只是个提法问题。
29. I am merely reporting what he said.
    我只是转述他的话。
30. I merely glanced over his letter.
    他的信我只是马马虎虎地看了一下。

adv

1. and nothing more
   1. I was merely asking
   2. it is simply a matter of time
   3. just a scratch
   4. he was only a child
   5. hopes that last but a moment

   Synonym:    simplyjustonlybut