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
There's just one catch: The best deals are only available to Amazon Prime members. Sara Coughlin, SELF, 8 July 2025 For me, my character’s heart was truly genuine in only wanting to protect and save that baby. Patrick Brzeski, HollywoodReporter, 8 July 2025
Adjective
There are nine starters on the AL roster, but three — Jacob deGrom, Yusei Kikuchi and Shane Smith — fulfill the requirement as their team’s only rep. Aaron Gleeman, New York Times, 7 July 2025 But Kelly reminded the audience that tech isn’t the only kind of knowledge that matters. Oumou Fofana, Essence, 7 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for only
Recent Examples of Synonyms for only
Adverb
  • As a result, their bonus pool is just $6.57 million, third lowest among MLB teams.
    Jeff Sanders, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 July 2025
  • Mason is a stand-up comic Pryor's youngest son is a stand-up comic, just like his dad.
    Julie Tremaine, People.com, 13 July 2025
Adverb
  • Luma competes with other startups like Runway AI, which has formal deals with a number of Hollywood entities, and established players like Google’s Veo line, which has been trained on many years of Google and YouTube videos and has been an impressive run lately.
    Steven Zeitchik, HollywoodReporter, 10 July 2025
  • Laneige has been ramping up its specialty food partnerships lately, tapping popular brands such as La La Land Kind Café, Bobo Guys and Dough Donuts to infuse heritage flavors into its soothing lip care formula.
    Kaleigh Werner, Footwear News, 10 July 2025
Adverb
  • And our brain struggles to differentiate between situations that are life-threatening and those that merely threaten our ego.
    Csaba Toth, Forbes.com, 2 July 2025
  • Judge Subramanian said the jurors must reach a unanimous verdict, but must not give up their convictions merely to return a verdict or satisfy the rest of the jurors.
    Lauryn Overhultz , Tracy Wright , Maria Paronich , Brendan McDonald, FOXNews.com, 1 July 2025
Adjective
  • Performance has also been excellent so far compared to peers and a benchmark index.
    Jesse Pound, CNBC, 11 July 2025
  • The hiding spot seemed like an excellent spot for avoiding the sun and potential predators, but Fowler didn't feel quite the same.
    Liz O'Connell, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 July 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
  • Lobstermen with solely a state permit in the conservation management area had faced less restrictive maximum size and V-notch rules over the decades compared to those with a federal permit.
    Lance Reynolds, Boston Herald, 7 July 2025
  • Now, the public defender solely refers people to each court, and must argue a defendant deserves a referral before a judge.
    Ishani Desai July 7, Sacbee.com, 7 July 2025
Adverb
  • Leading 1-0 but down two men late on, PSG still pushed for a second goal.
    Felipe Cardenas, New York Times, 6 July 2025
  • Posey is building the team in his own image, which was the point late last year when he was given the job.
    Barry M. Bloom, Sportico.com, 6 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Only.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/only. Accessed 19 Jul. 2025.

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