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
One order would declare that the federal government would recognize only two immutable sexes: male and female. Kimberly Nordyke, The Hollywood Reporter, 21 Jan. 2025 The technology will only be used at the snowboarding events for both men and women. Jason Clinkscales, Sportico.com, 21 Jan. 2025
Adjective
Beltrán was the only player named in MLB’s investigation into the scandal, which the league completed in January 2020. Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 20 Jan. 2025 LaVine and Patrick Williams were the only players on the roster to make multiple 3-pointers in the loss. Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 20 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for only 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for only
Adverb
  • The body and leg meat can be just as tasty with just a little extra preparation and special recipes.
    Peter Burke, Fox News, 26 Jan. 2025
  • Put one foot in front of the other, smile and just keep on rolling.
    Karen Mizoguchi, People.com, 26 Jan. 2025
Adverb
  • One of the company’s top-selling drugs is now facing biosimilar competition, weighing on its stock price growth lately.
    Trefis Team, Forbes, 24 Jan. 2025
  • Two of their upcoming opponents, the Red Wings and Blues, are benefiting from coaching changes … but their defense is also trending in the wrong direction lately.
    Shayna Goldman, The Athletic, 24 Jan. 2025
Adverb
  • Far from being merely a view of one woman, Zhang’s movie, however intimate in its dimensions, provides a wide-ranging vision of Chinese society at large.
    Richard Brody, The New Yorker, 29 Jan. 2025
  • Mayers and his attorney, Joe Tacopina, have maintained Rocky’s innocence, insisting that the gun was merely a prop.
    Marc Griffin, VIBE.com, 29 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • Both teams are excellent at converting third downs.
    Blair Kerkhoff, Kansas City Star, 24 Jan. 2025
  • Kansas City’s secondary is also excellent at tackling and does a good job of limiting explosive runs.
    Ted Nguyen, The Athletic, 24 Jan. 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
  • King was martyred for his role in that struggle for freedom and equality that has bettered the lives of all Americans, not solely African-Americans.
    Paul L. Newman, New York Daily News, 20 Jan. 2025
  • The key is to embrace AI as a tool for enhancement rather than viewing it solely as a threat.
    Bryan Robinson, Forbes, 19 Jan. 2025
Adverb
  • Undaunted, thank goodness, Stupak opened the Otter, on Thompson Street, late last year inside the new Manner hotel, in SoHo.
    Helen Rosner, The New Yorker, 19 Jan. 2025
  • The whiplash move to bring the app back comes after TikTok became unusable for Americans late Saturday night.
    Clare Duffy, CNN, 19 Jan. 2025

Thesaurus Entries Near only

Cite this Entry

“Only.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/only. Accessed 2 Feb. 2025.

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