merely

But in its exhausting pursuit of technical perfection, “The Smashing Machine” merely mirrors its subject’s journey, losing sight of its goal for a futile shot at glory.

The interactions are bracing but also a bit studied — the performers’ technique is more impressive than the story, which too often is merely a delivery device for misery disguised as searing truth.

David Corenswet’s Clark Kent isn’t merely invulnerable; he’s also unyielding in his view that in an era defined by corporate cruelty, being nice is true punk rock.

Critics tried to dismiss the evidence as merely anecdotal.

In their first series together, they thrashed West Indies but it was merely met with a shrug of the shoulders from fans and media who had seen this narrative before.