Definitions
- Used to indicate a small amount or degree of something. - Used to mean 'only' or 'simply'. - Used to emphasize the immediacy or recentness of an action or event.
- Used to indicate that something is only what it appears to be and nothing more. - Used to emphasize the insignificance or unimportance of something. - Used to indicate that something is done only for the sake of formality or obligation.
List of Similarities
- 1Both words are used to indicate a small or limited amount or degree of something.
- 2Both words can be used to downplay the significance or importance of something.
- 3Both words are adverbs that modify verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs.
What is the difference?
- 1Usage: Just is more commonly used in everyday language than merely.
- 2Meaning: Just emphasizes simplicity or immediacy, while merely emphasizes insignificance or obligation.
- 3Connotation: Just has a neutral or positive connotation, while merely can have a negative or dismissive connotation.
- 4Position: Just can be used in various positions within a sentence, while merely is typically used before the verb or adjective it modifies.
- 5Alternatives: Just can be replaced with 'only', 'simply', or 'barely', while merely can be replaced with 'only', 'solely', or 'purely'.
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Remember this!
Just and merely are synonyms that are used to indicate a small or limited amount or degree of something. However, just emphasizes simplicity or immediacy, while merely emphasizes insignificance or obligation. Just has a neutral or positive connotation, while merely can have a negative or dismissive connotation.
