Mere
Mere adjective - Apart from anything else; without additions or modifications.
Usage example: shocked by the mere idea
Plain is a synonym for mere in simple topic. In some cases you can use "Plain" instead the word "Mere" as an adjective or a noun, when it comes to topics like absolute.
Nearby Word: merely
Mutual synonyms
Both words in one sentence
- This is an inverse of The Man Behind the Man in which the true villain turns out to be Hidden in Plain Sight as a mere underling.
Source: The Man in Front of the Man -
An interesting twist on the above is that The Drifter is not just pretending he is Not Left Handed in terms of martial skill, but is also concealing his true purpose—to depose the Big Bad and his goons—hiding in plain sight as a mere Muggle to get information to bring him down.
Source: The Drifter - He also lied about the existence and nature of the VERY real demons and dark gods which do inhabit a sort-of "preternatural" plain of existence, and treated many of his direct offspring, the Primarchs, as mere tools to be used rather than as people.
Source: Totalitarian Utilitarian
Cite this Source
Plain and Mere. (2016). Retrieved 2026, August 14, from https://thesaurus.plus/related/mere/plain
Mere & Plain. N.p., 2016. Web. 14 Aug. 2026. <https://thesaurus.plus/related/mere/plain>.
Plain or Mere. 2016. Accessed August 14, 2026. https://thesaurus.plus/related/mere/plain.
Google Ngram Viewer shows how "mere" and "plain" have occurred on timeline