How to use the words mere, merely and rather

[Sabita]

Hi, this is keerti.I've some doubts regarding mere, merely and rather.For what purpose and where should i use these words.The word rather and rarherthan are the same and are they different in meaning.I know how to use 'rather than' but do not know
the rather, mere and merely.Give me the suitable examples with explantions.Thank u.

[Conchita]

Welcome, Keerti!

You can use mere (adjective) and merely (adverb) to mean 'simply' or 'only':

he's a mere boy, only a boy; for the sake of a mere $2,000, for the sake of a small sum like $ 2,000; the mere sight of grass makes me sneeze, just the sight/simply the sight of grass makes me sneeze; instead of answering he merely smiled; I merely asked for a glass of water.

The adverb rather means 'relatively' or 'quite': it's rather cold today; her dress is rather a pretty shade of green.

It is also used with 'would' to show preference: I'd rather stay at home, I would prefer to stay at home; I'd rather not, I would prefer not to; he'd rather we didn't mention it, he would prefer us not to mention it.

Rather than has the sense of 'in preference to': rather than wait for a bus in the rain, I decided to take a taxi.