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
The European Union has already spent six years planning to launch the IRIS² constellation of 348 communications satellites starting in 2029, although that is again a mere fraction of the Starlink constellation’s size. — Jeremy Hsu, ArsTechnica, 23 Oct. 2026 But these were mere hints and premonitions of the kind of sway that humans now hold. — Literary Hub, 23 Oct. 2026 She’s entirely surpassed our history, a mere blip on the timeline of her meteoric rise. — Sofia Franklyn, Vanity Fair, 22 Oct. 2026 Vinton resigned from the board and was fired mere days later. — David Canfield, HollywoodReporter, 22 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for mere
Recent Examples of Synonyms for mere
  1. very
  2. puddle
  3. sheer
  4. pool
Adjective
  • But if firms lean on AI to cut lower-level work, the risk is destroying the very avenue of apprenticeship that produces future senior associates and managers.
    — Tim Brackney, Forbes.com, 26 Oct. 2026
  • The accompanying image might have been taken the very evening of that party in ’33.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 26 Oct. 2026
Definition of very
Noun
  • Their defense had surrendered 83 points in consecutive blowout losses to Missouri and South Carolina, and the optimism surrounding new coach Jon Sumrall had evaporated faster than a puddle on a Gainesville sidewalk in August.
    — Mike Bianchi, The Orlando Sentinel, 17 Oct. 2026
  • Grass, uneven ground, tiny puddles, and random objects can become major obstacles when the machine is barely taller than them.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of puddle
Adjective
  • The tracks, the engineers, the data, the media attention, the sheer amount of racing—the Formula 1 World Championship consists of twenty-plus races, on five continents, in nine months.
    — Sam Knight, New Yorker, 22 Oct. 2026
  • The silhouette was mostly formfitting and streamlined, with emphasis at the hips and waist and a continuation of the contrasting sheer, black fabric running down the column skirt.
    — Julia Teti, Footwear News, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of sheer
Noun
  • Bull Shoals was six feet from the conservation pool level, but Beaver, Table Rock, Bull Shoals, Norfork and Greer's Ferry are all lakes that generate hydro-power, which will be reduced because of the low water conditions.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 27 Oct. 2026
  • That welcoming, production-minded culture, combined with turnkey studio infrastructure and a steadily growing pool of local talent, already makes Chicago an easy choice for productions.
    — Partner Content, Variety, 26 Oct. 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 27 Oct. 2026.

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