only 1 of 3

Definition of onlynext
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
Under bright skies, highs will climb into the mid and upper 50s for most locations, except for the south facing shores of Long Island and Connecticut, where highs will only be in the 40s. Matthew Villafane, CBS News, 29 Mar. 2026 Corcovado can only be explored with a certified guide. Meghan Palmer, Condé Nast Traveler, 29 Mar. 2026
Adjective
Declutter your digital spaces Our physical spaces are not the only ones that at times need a little tidying. Joy Harden Bradford, AJC.com, 2 Apr. 2026 Our only rule is the weirder the better. Richard Edwards, Space.com, 2 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for only
Recent Examples of Synonyms for only
Adverb
  • Their facility would use just 2% of a hyperscaler’s power and occupy about 2% as much space, according to the company.
    Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 1 Apr. 2026
  • That just felt so, almost traumatizing to even imagine.
    David Oliver, USA Today, 1 Apr. 2026
Adverb
  • The committee sparked a suite of bills aimed at juicing the supply side of Idaho’s housing market — a deregulatory approach targeting zoning laws that has lately found rare bipartisan support at the Capitol, if not in city halls across the state.
    Mark Dee March 28, Idaho Statesman, 28 Mar. 2026
  • The most notable thing he’s starred in lately was a clip of him on a podcaster’s couch, hunched and diminished, talking about his fear of gay people.
    Spencer Kornhaber, The Atlantic, 27 Mar. 2026
Adverb
  • To confuse UConn with anything other than the University of Connecticut would be akin to assuming Duke was merely some nobleman in England.
    Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 29 Mar. 2026
  • Juliet is arguing that Romeo’s name is merely a label that does not define his essence.
    Steven P. Dinkin, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • Apple has somehow emerged from the global hardware shortage as a value buy, with its MacBook Neo offering an excellent modern computing experience for a mere $600.
    Jon Martindale, PC Magazine, 2 Apr. 2026
  • Harbor locals should boast that one of the county’s singularly excellent pizzerias is in their backyard.
    Jenn Harris, Los Angeles Times, 2 Apr. 2026
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
  • All opinions expressed by the CNBC Pro contributors are solely their opinions and do not reflect the opinions of CNBC, or its parent company or affiliates, and may have been previously disseminated by them on television, radio, internet or another medium.
    Jeff Kilburg, CNBC, 27 Mar. 2026
  • Money Research Collective’s editorial team solely created this content.
    Kat Tretina, Sacbee.com, 27 Mar. 2026
Adverb
  • Brown, who scuffled as a shooter for most of the game, caught fire late with two 3-pointers and an and-one midrange jumper that cut Boston’s deficit to eight with just over a minute remaining.
    Zack Cox, Boston Herald, 31 Mar. 2026
  • Tungsten Tungsten hit a record high of over $3,000 late last week, marking a surge of well over 50% for the month and more than tripling in price since late December.
    Evelyn Cheng, CNBC, 31 Mar. 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Only.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/only. Accessed 3 Apr. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on only

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster