but 1 of 3

as in except
not including brought everything but the kitchen table to the campground

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but

2 of 3

adverb

as in just
nothing more than she is but a child and too young to understand such things

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but

3 of 3

conjunction

as in excepting
if it were not for the fact that I would have said something but I was too chicken

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Examples 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 but
Preposition
These assumptions are in need of scrutiny, not by comparison with other countries but of this country with itself a few generations ago. Marilynne Robinson, The New York Review of Books, 27 May 2020 Nick has more power but Joey is a bit more nimble -- everything else is essentially equal. John Owning, Dallas News, 27 May 2020
Adverb
And on Sunday, in a 4-3 walk-off loss to the Detroit Tigers that sent the club into the All-Star break with a series defeat and losses in eight of their last 10 games, the Dodgers did anything but. Houston Mitchell, Los Angeles Times, 15 July 2024 They were helmed on this night by the invaluable longtime wingman Mac McAnally, who handled lead vocals and emcee duties for a memorial service that felt like anything but. Kevin Jeffrey, SPIN, 12 Apr. 2024
Conjunction
But campus leaders like Chancellor Vincent Fulginiti and many community donors had a bigger vision. Matthew Wynia, The Denver Post, 1 May 2017 Normally a chain moving here wouldn’t pique my interest too much, but this place has got some serious fans — called ‘ Allyson Reedy, The Know, 24 Apr. 2017 See all Example Sentences for but 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for but
Preposition
  • At Dollywood’s DreamMore Resort, face masks are required in public areas, except when dining or swimming, capacity of public areas will be limited, and housekeeping and public area attendants will increase their cleaning procedures.
    Elizabeth Rhodes, Travel + Leisure, 4 June 2020
  • The city advised all residents to stay inside except those going to and from work and anyone seeking or giving emergency care, according to Mayor Eric Garcetti's official Twitter account.
    NBC News, NBC News, 1 June 2020
Adverb
  • Keltner got to his ground blind just after 6 a.m., well before daylight.
    Bob McNally, Outdoor Life, 3 Jan. 2025
  • Instead of the sweeping victory Modi had predicted, his party lost its majority in the lower house of India’s Parliament—just a few months after that triumphant speech at the new Ayodhya temple.
    Robert F. Worth, The Atlantic, 2 Jan. 2025
Adverb
  • After eight quarters against the Lakers, the Kings only could manage 199 points.
    Dan Woike, Los Angeles Times, 22 Dec. 2024
  • Carbon Monoxide Detector This four-in-one detector not only reads carbon monoxide on the road but also detects other combustible, explosive gases, like LPG (methane), propane, and natural gas.
    Jillian Dara, Travel + Leisure, 22 Dec. 2024
Preposition
  • But his death had many contributing factors besides being unable to breath while face down on the ground.
    Kevin Grasha, Cincinnati.com, 2 June 2020
  • The airline’s crew members and ground services personnel are undergoing detailed health check-ups at regular intervals, besides wearing protective gear at all times.
    Niharika Sharma, Quartz India, 31 May 2020
Preposition
  • But Optimus, who in the video seems more than happy to be at his mistress’s beck and call, appears less subservient in a series of pictures in which Kardashian, wearing spike heels and lingerie, poses beside him and a gold Tesla Cybercab.
    Naomi Fry, The New Yorker, 21 Dec. 2024
  • The tarantula was used in the iconic scene in which Marv flings the spider over onto Harry, who is lying on the floor beside him.
    Rachel Raposas, People.com, 21 Dec. 2024

Thesaurus Entries Near but

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“But.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/but. Accessed 10 Jan. 2025.

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