That, and the cryptic clues that merely deepened the mystery of our racial origins.

Rather than comforting her, as her friend had so clearly intended to do, Caroline's words merely deepened Julia's sense of foreboding.

Rather than disarm him, as her skillful show of humility was no doubt calculated to do, it merely deepened his skepticism.

Mrs. Martins seemed not at all offended by the suggestion, though; the lines between her brows merely deepened as she looked at the straining woman.

It merely deepened the ugly look in his eyes.

In retrospect it is clear that the rejection of her work merely deepened her anxiety and revealed the beginnings of a persecution complex.

Now it merely deepened the loneliness.

Far from helping to place the strange entity, this provisional dissection merely deepened its mystery.

That thought merely deepened her gloom and she floated on the water, wishing that Ana would come back.

The paradox, however, is that the Tories' revival may merely deepen their problems.