if only
idiom
—used to talk about something that one wants to happen or be true
If only she loved me in return!
If only it would stop raining.
Examples of if only in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
On Thursday, the company withdrew the change in response to the public outrage, if only in Connecticut, for now.
—
Jia Tolentino, The New Yorker, 7 Dec. 2024
Let unfettered markets create more technology, because technology can fix all of society’s ills, if only the short-sighted would get out of its way.
—Brian Fung, CNN, 5 Dec. 2024
Our favorite Cyber Monday mattress sales so far These mattresses all get rave reviews and they’re majorly discounted—if only for a short time.
—Jessica Kasparian, SELF, 2 Dec. 2024
The simplest path to a title game matchup would be if only two of those four teams won their season finale.
—Scott Dochterman, The Athletic, 24 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for if only 
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Jia Tolentino, The New Yorker, 7 Dec. 2024
Let unfettered markets create more technology, because technology can fix all of society’s ills, if only the short-sighted would get out of its way.
—Brian Fung, CNN, 5 Dec. 2024
Our favorite Cyber Monday mattress sales so far These mattresses all get rave reviews and they’re majorly discounted—if only for a short time.
—Jessica Kasparian, SELF, 2 Dec. 2024
The simplest path to a title game matchup would be if only two of those four teams won their season finale.
—Scott Dochterman, The Athletic, 24 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for if only
Dictionary Entries Near if only
Cite this Entry
“If only.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/if%20only. Accessed 21 Dec. 2024.
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