mere 1 of 2

adjective

ˈmir How to pronounce mere (audio)
Definition of merenext
as in very
being this and no more the mere idea of your traveling alone to Europe is ridiculous

Synonyms & Similar Words

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mere

2 of 2

noun

chiefly British
as in puddle
a small often deep body of water one of the most scenic meres in England's Lake District

Synonyms & Similar Words

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of mere
Adjective
This entire meeting took place over the course of mere minutes. — Chelsea Gohd, Space.com, 29 Aug. 2026 This film finds a third-bowl-of-porridge option that lets the tall, stark, and handsome star channel both old-fashioned Hollywood strong, silent types and suggest strong undercurrents of pain running mere millimeters beneath the surface. — David Fear, Rolling Stone, 28 Aug. 2026 The Torcal’s response on-center is deliberately somewhat muted, progressing as the driver turns the wheel, helping maintain the illusion that the Torcal’s mere inertia is sufficient to carry it through irregularities in the path ahead. — Byron Hurd, The Drive, 27 Aug. 2026 While Niehku Mountain Villa operates as a hotel, buyouts ($11,000/night) are common and a mere drop in the nearby Norwegian Ofotfjord for Nordic media moguls who frequent the property and just can’t stand another faux luxury hotel. — Michelle Tchea, Robb Report, 27 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for mere
Recent Examples of Synonyms for mere
  1. very
  2. puddle
  3. sheer
  4. pool
Adjective
  • Located at the very front of Roman, this hat-like shade pops open once the observatory reaches orbit, blocking stray light from entering the telescope barrel and helping protect the telescope's sensitive optics throughout the mission.
    — Sharmila Kuthunur, Space.com, 26 Aug. 2026
  • Caylee believed in this project from the very beginning and has been instrumental in helping bring it to life as a powerhouse actor and producer.
    — Matt Grobar, Deadline, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of very
Noun
  • When rain puddles and settles around a house, or worse, in the basement, don’t wait.
    — Tribune Content Agency, Baltimore Sun, 24 Aug. 2026
  • Rain leaves behind standing water in puddles and containers, which female mosquitoes use to lay eggs.
    — Stephen Underwood, Hartford Courant, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of puddle
Adjective
  • The facts of his biography, no matter how outrageous, could not possibly explain the sheer derangement of his output.
    — Becca Rothfeld, New Yorker, 29 Aug. 2026
  • This means investor scrutiny will extend beyond the sheer scale of AI investment to encompass debt burdens, capital costs, and return timelines.
    — , CNBC, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of sheer
Noun
  • That’s a little bit like what the pool party at Carmella’s house is like too.
    — Brian Moylan, Vulture, 28 Aug. 2026
  • But his record of publicly interacting with Piker — including at a pool party just before the primary — remains a sore point among some Michigan Democrats.
    — Nicholas Wu, semafor.com, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of pool

Browse Nearby Words

mercy killings
mere
merely
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Cite this Entry

“Mere.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mere. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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