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

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 only
Adverb
For instance, one plan with a $2,000 dental benefit covers only 50% of dentures, down from 100%. Diane Omdahl, Forbes, 9 Jan. 2025 Cities like Buffalo, Indianapolis, Providence and Hartford are all growing not only in population but also with corporations looking for cheaper rents and tax breaks. Tommy Tuberville, Newsweek, 9 Jan. 2025
Adjective
This strengthens the sense that the centrist parties form a bloc or a cartel, and that voting for them doesn’t change anything, and therefore the only way to change anything is by voting for more radical parties. Isaac Chotiner, The New Yorker, 8 Jan. 2025 The victory wasn’t the only rebounding done by the Broncos. Shaun Goodwin, Idaho Statesman, 8 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for only 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for only
Adverb
  • WhatsApp has just unveiled its latest release, with new features and design upgrades focused on making chats more fun and more creative.
    David Phelan, Forbes, 14 Jan. 2025
  • Apply just one layer for a skin-tint effect, or build for more comprehensive coverage.
    Angela Trakoshis, Allure, 14 Jan. 2025
Adverb
  • Innovation, Efficiency, Capital Moves Power US Stocks Ahead Just the latest stories on American financial exceptionalism to come across my desk lately include this one from Fortune magazine.
    Michael Foster, Forbes, 12 Jan. 2025
  • Meanwhile, five miles away, Kaplan and Namba have lately been immersed in finally bringing their long-incubating bistro to life.
    Bill Addison, Los Angeles Times, 12 Jan. 2025
Adverb
  • But to TikTok executives, that is merely a symbolic life raft, since ByteDance has consistently indicated that the platform, China's first global social media hit, is not for sale.
    Bobby Allyn, NPR, 17 Jan. 2025
  • Alas, Ground News is merely a resource, not a platform for debate and persuasion.
    Yaakov Katz, Newsweek, 17 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • With excellent lift access, 12 lifts provide visitors with access to 244 skiable acres.
    Stacey Lastoe, Southern Living, 12 Jan. 2025
  • Now is an excellent moment to be brave and explore new projects, people and plans.
    Kyle Thomas, People.com, 12 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
  • The lawsuit claims the city never entered into a contract or agreement with the Richard Mays Law Firm to represent the city in the matter, meaning the money paid by the city was performed solely for the benefit of the 18 residents, not the city.
    Tom Sissom, arkansasonline.com, 8 Jan. 2025
  • Even senior officials in the U.S. administration explicitly stated that Israel has agreed to the deal, and its implementation now depends solely on the agreement of Hamas.
    Kevin Lynn, Newsweek, 8 Jan. 2025
Adverb
  • He’s lost his grip on a lineup spot of late though.
    Joshua Kloke, The Athletic, 7 Jan. 2025
  • Speculation about Meta and Zuckerberg’s political maneuvering has swirled for weeks following the CEO’s meeting with Trump at Mar-a-Lago late last year and subsequent leadership changes.
    Miranda Nazzaro, The Hill, 7 Jan. 2025

Thesaurus Entries Near only

Cite this Entry

“Only.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/only. Accessed 20 Jan. 2025.

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