only 1 of 3

1
2
3
as in merely
nothing more than I was only fooling when I said I saw a shark in the water

Synonyms & Similar Words

only

2 of 3

adjective

1
as in excellent
having no equal or rival for excellence or desirability the only way to really appreciate the beauty of the forest is to walk through it

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

2

only

3 of 3

conjunction

as in but
if it were not for the fact that that's a very nice idea, only it won't help

Synonyms & Similar Words

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of only
Adverb
According to Fif, the pair seem unconcerned for Lil Meech’s well-being and only publicly sided with him due to their own respective vendetta’s against him. Preezy Brown, VIBE.com, 3 Apr. 2025 The couple's youngest child, and only daughter, Alianna Judith, was born on April 29th, 2024. Nasha Smith, People.com, 3 Apr. 2025
Adjective
With no British troops on hand, Dunmore saw this threat as his only option to avert violence. Andrew Lawler, Smithsonian Magazine, 2 Apr. 2025 The only Florida restaurant nominated is Ômo by Jônt in Winter Park, which was nominated in the Best New Restaurant category. Connie Ogle, Miami Herald, 2 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for only
Recent Examples of Synonyms for only
Adverb
  • Furnishing a space requires more consideration than just how something looks — especially for living rooms where a lot of time is spent.
    Megan Schaltegger, People.com, 9 Apr. 2025
  • The yield on the 10-year Treasury climbed to 4.27% from 4.15% late Monday and from just 4.01% late Friday.
    Time, Time, 9 Apr. 2025
Adverb
  • Flight to safety To be sure, foreign currencies have not moved uniformly against the dollar lately.
    Jesse Pound, CNBC, 6 Apr. 2025
  • Gretzky, who appears to have spent more time at Mar-a-Lago than in Canada lately, stayed a little too quiet about everything.
    Chris Jones, The Atlantic, 6 Apr. 2025
Adverb
  • Rather than merely illustrating corporate omnipotence, Vara exposes the fragility of the technology itself: a nonhuman force that still depends on humanity—and is unable to encompass it.
    Matteo Wong, The Atlantic, 10 Apr. 2025
  • The banking industry strongly opposed the Biden rule, which would cap overdraft fees at just $5 for banks and financial institutions with more than $10 billion in assets unless the institutions opt for a fee that merely covers their own costs or treat the overdraft payment as a loan.
    Zach Halaschak, The Washington Examiner, 9 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Two standout experiences near the water include Schooner’s in the Caribbean Village, open for breakfast and dinner (chef Chris’s swordfish steak was excellent) as well as Barefoot by the Sea in the Italian Village.
    Jacqui Gifford, Travel + Leisure, 6 Apr. 2025
  • Piper Niven Currently, Piper Niven is doing an excellent job as part of WWE Women's United States Champion Chelsea Green's cabinet.
    John W. Dean, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Drinkwater didn't make one appearance in a Chelsea shirt last season, whilst Bakayoko spent the season in Italy on loan at AC Milan.
    SI.com, SI.com, 3 Aug. 2019
  • Decisions made by engineers today, in other words, will determine not how one car drives but how all cars drive.
    Johannes Himmelreich, BostonGlobe.com, 30 Mar. 2018
Conjunction
  • But scientists and doctors say things aren’t that simple — and a belief that exposing children to marijuana, either directly or indirectly, is harmless isn’t supported by the facts.
    Daniel M. Jimenez, The Cannifornian, 22 June 2017
  • But with a full and volatile season behind them, the two have grown closer, prompting check-ins from Bradford last month, seeking tidbits from his coach who watched OTA practices on a tablet from his Kentucky retreat.
    Chad Graff, Twin Cities, 15 June 2017
Adverb
  • Specialized technology providers focused solely on the retail media space will emerge with solutions that address the unique challenges of product listing ads and sponsored search within retail environments.
    Kiri Masters, Forbes.com, 2 Apr. 2025
  • Pro Football Focus graded him 47th of 75 tight ends solely as a run blocker last season; Hill was ranked last.
    Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 2 Apr. 2025
Adverb
  • Colossal said two of the dire wolves were born late last year, while the third arrived in early 2025.
    Mary Kekatos, ABC News, 11 Apr. 2025
  • This isn't the first time Monk has suffered a major injury late in the season.
    Raja Krishnamoorthi, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Only.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/only. Accessed 16 Apr. 2025.

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