only 1 of 3

adverb

Definition of onlynext
1
as in just
for nothing other than you're doing that only to annoy me

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in lately
not long ago we won the election only six days ago

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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

ˈōn-lē How to pronounce only (audio)
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
as in one
being the one or ones of a class with no other members that is the only possible right answer we were the only passengers on the tour bus

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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
Frey was the baby of the bunch, but Browne had experience the older Souther could only imagine. — Grayson Haver Currin, Pitchfork, 30 Aug. 2026 Where to eat and drink The 1947 classic Cattlemen's Steak House, which was given a new life—along with a members-only club in its basement—by mega-producer Taylor Sheridan, features modern steakhouse go-tos. — Christine Lennon, Condé Nast Traveler, 30 Aug. 2026
Adjective
The imposing gate and incline signal that privacy is one of the adults-only resort’s strongest assets, attracting high-profile guests like Katy Perry and Sir Paul McCartney. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 Aug. 2026 The Algorithm then runs the numbers and determines that the only way to save the silo is for Bernard to go out to clean. — Noel Murray, Vulture, 28 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for only
Recent Examples of Synonyms for only
  1. just
  2. lately
  3. merely
  4. excellent
  5. one
  6. but
  7. solely
  8. late
Adverb
  • But his record of publicly interacting with Piker — including at a pool party just before the primary — remains a sore point among some Michigan Democrats.
    — Nicholas Wu, semafor.com, 27 Aug. 2026
  • Search and rescue efforts are only just beginning, and these first hours are filled with uncertainty, but also with hope.
    — Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of just
Adverb
  • Looking back, the designer—who has been listening to a lot of Madonna lately—finds an unlikely analogy in an interview with the singer.
    — David Foxley, Architectural Digest, 27 Aug. 2026
  • Luckily for us, the A-list has supplied plenty of inspiration lately.
    — Alyssa Rotunno, InStyle, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of lately
Adverb
  • What might seem arrogance in others feels merely reasonable coming from her.
    — Robert Lloyd, Los Angeles Times, 26 Aug. 2026
  • What to the other parties was merely the sale of a ship was to him a momentous event involving a radically new view of existence.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of merely
Adjective
  • Alas, this excellent advice goes into one of Joe’s ears and out the other.
    — Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 1 Sep. 2026
  • Owls are predators whose eyes are positioned on the front of their heads, giving them excellent depth perception.
    — Abigail Witmer, The Conversation, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of excellent
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
Definition of one
Conjunction
  • 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
  • The tech firm didn’t pull that video down, but reached out to police.
    — Queenie Wong, The Mercury News, 3 May 2017
Definition of but
Adverb
  • On another metric, which looks solely at the serve itself (rather than how the point plays out) to generate a 0-10 rating, Shelton comes in fifth on tour.
    — Jacob Feldman, Sportico.com, 31 Aug. 2026
  • Some are starting small private businesses solely to afford the tickets to leave.
    — Nora Gámez Torres, Miami Herald, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of solely
Adverb
  • After nine consecutive losses against the Minnesota Lynx, the Valkyries finally broke through on Monday night in Minneapolis, setting the tone early and running away with the game late in the fourth quarter en route to a 80-66 win.
    — Christian Babcock, Mercury News, 25 Aug. 2026
  • Still, the administration late Monday filed a motion asking that the second hold be removed, and has posted new regulations from the Postal Service that would go into effect Tuesday if the legal pathway is fully cleared.
    — Nicholas Riccardi, Chicago Tribune, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of late

Browse Nearby Words

onlookers
only
on no account
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Only.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/only. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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