Merely example sentences

"Merely" Example Sentences

1. The reason was merely an excuse.
2. She was merely a substitute, filling in for the star performer.
3. It was merely a formality, the signature was not really needed.
4. They merely tolerated each other, there was no real friendship.
5. His response was merely a polite gesture, he didn't really mean it.
6. The child's tears were merely a ploy to get attention.
7. His concern seemed merely superficial, not genuine.
8. Her smile was merely polite, not showing any real warmth.
9. The change was merely cosmetic, it did not affect the underlying issues.
10. His assistance was merely token, not substantial.
11. She merely complied with his request, without any enthusiasm.
12. The quarrel was merely a lovers' spat, soon to be forgiven and forgotten.
13. His action was merely symbolic, lacking in real impact.
14. I merely pretended to listen, my mind was actually elsewhere.
15. The argument was merely academic, not based on practical considerations.
16. The explanation seemed merely speculative, not based on facts.
17. The book was merely an escape, not intended to provide any deeper meaning.
18. He offered her merely a perfunctory apology, without any real sincerity.
19. Their acquaintanceship was merely superficial, lacking any depth.
20. The reprimand was merely pro forma, lacking any real punitive intent.
21. I merely skimmed the article, not reading it in detail.
22. Her behavior was merely an affectation, adopted to seem fashionable.
23. His objections were merely provocative, not based on any real principle.
24. The crowd merely stood by and watched, no one attempting to intervene.
25. She merely flipped through the magazine, not actually reading any of the articles.
26. The crowd merely cheered as the runners passed by.
27. Her claim was merely speculative, lacking any proof.
28. The excuse was merely a pretext to cover up his real motive.
29. He thought he was merely repeating what others had already said.
30. His statement was merely repetitive, adding nothing new to the discussion.
31. The threat was merely intimidation, not backed up by any ability to follow through.
32. Their arrangement was merely transactional, not based on any emotional connection.
33. The color was merely an accent, not intended as the primary tone.
34. His reward was merely nominal, not really worth the effort it took.
35. They spoke merely in platitudes, not offering any real insight or wisdom.
36. The movements were merely gestural, conveying nothing of real meaning.
37. The verdict was merely a formality, the outcome never in doubt.
38. His job was merely an occupation, lacking any deeper purpose or satisfaction.
39. Her participation was merely perfunctory, going through the motions without investing any real effort.
40. The applause was merely polite, not indicating any genuine appreciation.
41. The visitors were merely curious, not intending to buy anything.
42. The piece was merely decorative, lacking any real functional purpose.
43. The suggestion was merely superficial, failing to address the core issue.
44. My request was merely tentative, not a firm demand.
45. The punishment seemed merely token, unlikely to deter future misbehavior.
46. The supplies were merely incidental, not essential to the project.
47. The solution was merely provisional, intended as a stopgap measure.
48. The mistakes were merely typographical, not affecting the substance of the work.
49. His agreement was merely formal, without any real commitment.
50. The music was merely background, not intended to be the main focus of attention.
51. Your copy is merely representative, not authoritative.
52. The correction was merely editorial, not substantive.
53. The role was merely a cameo, of little importance to the overall story.
54. The criticism seemed merely elitist, not intended to be constructive.
55. The reduction was merely nominal, not substantial enough to matter.
56. Their contribution was merely nominal, largely symbolic.
57. The report was merely hearsay, not based on firsthand knowledge.
58. She appeared merely for the photo op, leaving immediately after the picture.
59. The approach was merely tactical, lacking any strategic insight.
60. The distinction is merely semantic, not substantive.

Common Phases

1. Merely a formality
2. Merely coincidental
3. Merely symbolic
4. Merely academic
5. Merely by chance
6. Merely correcting
7. Merely happened
8. Merely token
9. Merely perfunctory
10. Merely pretended
11. Merely hesitant
12. Merely testified
13. Merely scratching
14. Merely decorative
15. Merely superficial
16. Merely an observer
17. Merely listened
18. Merely smiled
19. Merely tried
20. Merely said