The word(s) "mere" appears 5 time(s) in 5 verse(s) in Quran in Mohsin Khan translation.

(1) Or lest you should say: "It was only our fathers afortime who took others as partners in worship along with Allah, and we were (merely their) descendants after them; will You then destroy us because of the deeds of men who practised Al-Batil (i.e. polytheism and committing crimes and sins, invoking and worshipping others besides Allah)?" (Tafsir At-Tabari).

(2) They said: "O Hud! No evidence have you brought us, and we shall not leave our gods for your (mere) saying! And we are not believers in you.

(3) We created not the heavens and the earth and all that is between them for a (mere) play.

(4) And We created not the heavens and the earth, and all that is between them, for mere play.

(5) That was because there came to them their Messengers with clear proofs (signs), but they said: "Shall mere men guide us?" So they disbelieved and turned away (from the truth). But Allah was not in need (of them). And Allah is Rich (Free of all needs), Worthy of all praise.