Entry 2 senses Webster, 1913 Merely · Mere·ly · IPA /ˈmɪɹli/ 01 adv. Purely; unmixedly; absolutely. 1. Purely; unmixedly; absolutely. “Ulysses was to force forth his access, Though merely naked.” — Chapman. 2. Not otherwise than; simply; barely; only. “Prize not your life for other ends Than merely to oblige your friends.” — Swift. Syn. Solely; simply; purely; barely; scarcely.