merest

Tiniest possible amount

Merest is the superlative of mere, emphasizing the smallest possible amount or slightest degree: The merest hint of garlic transformed the dish.

It often suggests that even this minimal quantity is enough to produce an effect: The merest whisper of scandal could ruin her career.

The word appears almost exclusively in this fixed superlative form.

minimal

slightest

Least in degree

faintest · least · scantiest

trace

hint

Indirect suggestion

  • whisperSpeech without full voice
  • touchPerceiving through physical contact
  • glimmerFaint, wavering light

flicker · shadow · breath · wisp · suggestion · suspicion · ghost · soupçon · tinge · shred

dismissive

anybody

Unspecified individual

  • childPerson before puberty
  • noviceInexperienced newcomer to field
  • amateurNonprofessional participant

beginner · fool · mortal · commoner · peasant · nobody · trifle · nothing · pittance · bagatelle

Categories
Opposites
quantity/degree

merestgreatest

Surpassing all others

most · utmost · maximum · fullest · abundant

significance/importance

merestmost important

Of greatest significance

weightiest · greatest · paramount · supreme · principal

Phrases
Family

merely, mere

Familiarity
Top 200,000
Profile
Used worldwide · Timeless · Abstract · Everyday, not technical · Rated G