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Merely vs Apparently - What's the difference?

merely | apparently |

As adverbs the difference between merely and apparently

is that merely is (obsolete) wholly, entirely while apparently is plainly; clearly; manifestly; evidently.

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

    *

    apparently

    English

    Adverb

    (en adverb)
  • Plainly; clearly; manifestly; evidently.
  • * (rfdate) ,
    • If he should scorn me so apparently .
  • Seemingly; in appearance only.
    • A man may be apparently friendly, yet malicious in heart.
  • According to what the speaker has read or been told.
    • Apparently you are quite a good dancer.
  • * 2006 , Lois Lewandowski, The Fatal Heir: A Gillian Jones Mystery , iUniverse, 978-0-595-39843-0, page 169:
    • ""

    Synonyms

    * (in a way that is manifest) obviously, plainly, clearly, evidently * (in appearance only) ostensibly, seemingly * (according to what one has heard) allegedly

    References

    * * English hedges English modal adverbs