If we had not a right to the kingdom, we were mere mercenary soldiers.

As Cathy belonged to a wealthy family, her parents were against her having a relationship with a mere soldier.

"You seek to frighten us with mere soldiers?"

The man sniffed, as though it was beneath his dignity to talk to a mere muddy soldier.

Of course, such things are the tasks of diplomats, not mere soldiers like you and me.

By the way they carried themselves they looked to Ann to be men of more authority than mere soldiers.

Of course she was not going to offer her hand to a mere private soldier.

It would be unheard of, of course, for a mere private soldier to protest any assignment.

That is why they are mere soldiers and not free agents.

Alison and her daughters did not deign to "help" mere unranked soldiers.