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
Katherine Burns Olson, Architectural Digest, 4 Nov. 2024
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
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
Consider the original 18-to-20-inch base moldings in the living room, an element the client had first fallen in love with but that were all but wiped out.
—Katherine Burns Olson, Architectural Digest, 4 Nov. 2024
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
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
-
Leaders in Congress agreed and sent out armadas of patriot privateers to do just that, plundering British shipping around the Atlantic rim and forcing Royal Navy warships to redeploy to convoy duty.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
7 Nov. 2025
-
There are also just more bears these days.—
Jessie Yeung,
CNN Money,
7 Nov. 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
Adverb
-
In this case, the majority of the court reached for an issue no one presented, setting aside the normal procedure of dealing only with the facts and questions presented by the litigants, Wood said.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
3 Nov. 2025
-
When the humans return, there are only a handful, better clothed, hair braided and combed, new fashions.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
3 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“But.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/but. Accessed 7 Nov. 2025.
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