frequently_asked_questions_files/Oxford Thesaurus.pdf

tender-heartedness, soft-heartedness, graciousness, generosity,
magnanimity, benignity, beneficence, charity, thoughtfulness,
consideration, indulgence: May the Lord have mercy on your
soul. We could expect no mercy from that slave-driver.
mere adj. bare, basic, scant, stark, sheer; absolute, unmixed, only,
just, nothing but, pure (and simple), unmitigated, undiluted:
She was a mere slip of a girl. We need something more to go on
than mere hearsay evidence.
merely adv. 1 only, simply; basically, purely, essentially,
fundamentally, at bottom: I was merely going to ask if you'd
like to go to the cinema. 2 only, no more than; barely,
scarcely, simply, solely, entirely: She was merely the
scullery-maid. We can't unlock the safe merely on your
authority.
merge v. combine, coalesce, unite, join, amalgamate, consolidate,
pool, blend, mix, mingle, commingle, fuse: If we merge our
companies, we shall save on overhead costs.
merger n. combination, coalescence, union, merging, amalgamation,
consolidation, coalition, pooling, blending, mixing, mingling,
commingling, fusing, fusion: A merger of the two firms might
result in a monopoly.
merit n. 1 worth, worthiness, value, excellence, quality, virtue,
good, goodness: Philip's plan has a good deal of merit. 2
Often, merits. assets, strong point, advantage, rights and
wrongs: What exactly are the merits of his approach over mine?
The case should be tried on its own merits.
--v. 3 earn, deserve, warrant, rate, have a right or claim to,
be entitled to, be qualified for, be worthy of: What gave you
the idea that you merited any special consideration?
meritorious
adj. honourable, laudable, praiseworthy, commendable,
creditable, admirable, estimable, excellent, exemplary,
outstanding: Penny has won the company award for meritorious
service five months in a row.
merriment n. jollity, joviality, merrymaking, revelry, gaiety, high or