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Merely vs Incidental - What's the difference?

merely | incidental |

As an adverb merely

is (obsolete) wholly, entirely.

As an adjective incidental is

loosely associated; existing as a byproduct, tangent, or accident.

As a noun incidental is

incidental expense.

merely

English

Adverb

(-)
  • (obsolete) Wholly, entirely.
  • * 1644 , (John Milton), Aeropagitica :
  • It is not forgot, since the acute and distinct Arminius'' was perverted meerly by the perusing of a namelesse discourse writt'n at ''Delf , which at first he took in hand to confute.
  • (focus) Without any other reason etc.; only, just, and nothing more.
  • Statistics

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    incidental

    English

    Adjective

    (en adjective)
  • Loosely associated; existing as a byproduct, tangent, or accident.
  • That character, though colorful, is incidental to the overall plot.
  • Entering or approaching, prior to reflection (more frequently incident).
  • Derived terms

    * incidental expense * incidentally

    Synonyms

    *(existing as an accident) accidental, contingent

    Antonyms

    *(existing as an accident) inevitable, necessary, impossible

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • Incidental expense.
  • She's costing us a lot in incidentals .

    Anagrams

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