merely
UK: ˈmɪəli | US: ˈmɪrli
adv. only; just; simply (used to emphasize how small or insignificant something is).
The word "merely" originates from the Middle English term merely, which combines the adjective mere (derived from Latin merus, meaning "pure" or "undiluted") with the adverbial suffix -ly (from Old English -lice). Over time, mere evolved to mean "nothing more than," and the addition of -ly turned it into an adverb emphasizing simplicity or limitation. The logic reflects a progression from "purely" to "only."
She was merely a child when she wrote her first novel.
The difference is merely a matter of preference.
He said it merely as a joke, but she took it seriously.
The task was merely to observe, not to interfere.
It’s merely a scratch—no need to worry.