as in except
not including
brought everything but the kitchen table to the campground
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of but
Marilynne Robinson, The New York Review of Books, 27 May 2020
Nick has more power but Joey is a bit more nimble -- everything else is essentially equal.
—John Owning, Dallas News, 27 May 2020
Democrat-Gazette Staff From Wire Reports, arkansasonline.com, 2 Nov. 2024
Don’t call it a reboot, because, as many viewers have discovered, the new CBS drama Matlock starring Oscar winner Kathy Bates is everything but.
—Ronda Racha Penrice, The Hollywood Reporter, 3 Sep. 2019
Matthew Wynia, The Denver Post, 1 May 2017
Normally a chain moving here wouldn’t pique my interest too much, but this place has got some serious fans — called ‘
—Allyson Reedy, The Know, 24 Apr. 2017
See All Example Sentences for but
Preposition
These assumptions are in need of scrutiny, not by comparison with other countries but of this country with itself a few generations ago.
—Marilynne Robinson, The New York Review of Books, 27 May 2020
Nick has more power but Joey is a bit more nimble -- everything else is essentially equal.
—John Owning, Dallas News, 27 May 2020
Adverb
Those who haven't but have sworn to it under the penalty of law are allowed to participate only in federal elections.
—Democrat-Gazette Staff From Wire Reports, arkansasonline.com, 2 Nov. 2024
Don’t call it a reboot, because, as many viewers have discovered, the new CBS drama Matlock starring Oscar winner Kathy Bates is everything but.
—Ronda Racha Penrice, The Hollywood Reporter, 3 Sep. 2019
Conjunction
But campus leaders like Chancellor Vincent Fulginiti and many community donors had a bigger vision.
—Matthew Wynia, The Denver Post, 1 May 2017
Normally a chain moving here wouldn’t pique my interest too much, but this place has got some serious fans — called ‘
—Allyson Reedy, The Know, 24 Apr. 2017
See All Example Sentences for but
Recent Examples of Synonyms for but
Preposition
-
At Dollywood’s DreamMore Resort, face masks are required in public areas, except when dining or swimming, capacity of public areas will be limited, and housekeeping and public area attendants will increase their cleaning procedures.—
Elizabeth Rhodes,
Travel + Leisure,
4 June 2020
-
The city advised all residents to stay inside except those going to and from work and anyone seeking or giving emergency care, according to Mayor Eric Garcetti's official Twitter account.—
NBC News,
NBC News,
1 June 2020
Adverb
-
Kirk founded Turning Point USA in 2012 at just 18, with seed money from conservative donors eager to expand the party’s reach to younger audiences.—
Samantha-Jo Roth,
The Washington Examiner,
12 Sep. 2025
-
Doctors struggle to access complete patient histories, researchers spend months cleaning inconsistent datasets, and hospitals face spiraling costs just to keep outdated systems running.—
Matthew Kayser,
USA Today,
12 Sep. 2025
Adverb
-
The remaining 16 states have chosen a more relaxed approach, with some recommending the individual school districts decide their own policies, and others, like Puerto Rico, only requiring a policy to be formed by 2026.—
Arthur Jones II,
ABC News,
15 Sep. 2025
-
In his acceptance speech, Cooper revealed only started drama classes a couple of years ago and encouraged those watching to step out of their comfort zones.—
Olivia B. Waxman,
Time,
15 Sep. 2025
Preposition
-
But his death had many contributing factors besides being unable to breath while face down on the ground.—
Kevin Grasha,
Cincinnati.com,
2 June 2020
-
The airline’s crew members and ground services personnel are undergoing detailed health check-ups at regular intervals, besides wearing protective gear at all times.—
Niharika Sharma,
Quartz India,
31 May 2020
Preposition
-
Multiple balconies can be found throughout the property for optimal indoor-outdoor living, and a two-lane bowling alley is situated beside the basement media room.—
India Roby,
Architectural Digest,
16 Sep. 2025
-
What interests me is the conversation between surfaces, glossy against matte, the warmth of wood beside the coolness of stone.—
Kissa Castaneda,
Forbes.com,
15 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“But.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/but. Accessed 17 Sep. 2025.
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