once 1 of 3

adverb

ˈwən(t)s How to pronounce once (audio)
Definition of oncenext
as in formerly
at an earlier or previous time I once knew the quotation, but time has taken its toll on my brain cells

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

once

2 of 3

adjective

as in former
having been such at some previous time the once child star is now a lawyer in the entertainment industry

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

once

3 of 3

conjunction

as in when
just at the moment that you should have stopped wrestling once you knew someone was getting hurt, not five minutes later

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 once
Adverb
At another MetroLoft project, 25 Water Street, Berman and a co-developer had taken a radical approach to breaking up the interior space of a hulking building that once housed offices belonging to JPMorgan Chase. — Andrew Rice, Curbed, 23 July 2026 The sprawling business model that competitors once envied had become a liability—unwieldy, capital-intensive, and increasingly unable to compete in focused, fast-moving markets. — Shawn Tully, Fortune, 23 July 2026
Adjective
The once summer home became a residential dwelling once more. — Nandika Chatterjee, Time, 5 Nov. 2025 The flights through the once Category 5 storm have been particularly hairy, with one of the NOAA aircraft having to return to its base for a safety inspection after exceeding its g-force limits from the turbulence. — Andrew Freedman, CNN Money, 31 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for once
Recent Examples of Synonyms for once
  1. formerly
  2. former
  3. old
  4. other
  5. erstwhile
  6. past
  7. sometime
  8. late
Adverb
  • Another woman who was formerly in a relationship with the suspect also released a statement after the indictment.
    — Harriet Ramos, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 25 July 2026
  • Green transferred to Mizzou after starting out at Oklahoma, while Hardy formerly starred for Louisiana-Monroe — but now both are firmly entrenched at MU under head coach Eli Drinkwitz.
    — The Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 24 July 2026
Definition of formerly
Adjective
  • Errol Spence hasn't fought in three years, but the former world champion is climbing back into the ring on Saturday to take on another former champ in Tim Tszyu.
    — Brian Mazique, Forbes.com, 24 July 2026
  • Ciara, who has been married to former NFL quarterback Russell Wilson for a decade and before then soundtracked my college experience with her bops, is the guest judge filling in for Nina.
    — Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 24 July 2026
Definition of former
Adjective
  • Unlike my original e-bike, the Huffy includes metal fenders, a metal chain guard, and a battery that can charge in or out of the bike - all for a third of the price of my old bike.
    — William Roberson, Forbes.com, 22 July 2026
  • Tyler James Feehan shared memories of the 25-year-old who was killed on July 17 as a result of Iranian strikes on Jordan.
    — Arpita Dasika, CNN Money, 22 July 2026
Definition of old
Adjective
  • The Big Bend Sector has not experienced the high number of border crossings seen in recent years in other areas farther south along the Rio Grande or in Arizona or California, owing to the remote and challenging terrain on both sides of the border.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 22 July 2026
  • Today, some bright spots aside, the Art Deco District’s historic commercial spine is a drab length of vacant and unkempt storefronts, smoke shops, liquor stores, fast-food outlets, cheap T-shirt emporia and other varieties of tourist trap.
    — Andres Viglucci, Miami Herald, 22 July 2026
Definition of other
Adjective
  • The erstwhile New York resident was loudly and vigorously booed by the hometown crowd as he was shown on the jumbotron of the legendary arena.
    — Dominic Patten, Deadline, 8 June 2026
  • Despite his meltdown in Colorado’s extra-inning loss to Milwaukee Friday night, the erstwhile starter has been one of baseball’s best relievers this season.
    — Patrick Saunders, Denver Post, 7 June 2026
Definition of erstwhile
Adjective
  • France trailed 4-0 before Mbappé sparked a comeback attempt, flicking the ball past goalkeeper Dean Henderson in the 48th minute before adding a second with a left-footed finish from about 14 yards in the 66th.
    — Mark Hodge, NBC news, 20 July 2026
  • Considering past injuries, the Yankees have ordered more bubble wrap and a bland diet!
    — Voice of the People, New York Daily News, 20 July 2026
Definition of past
Adjective
  • Charles builds their cabin with help from a kind widower and Civil War veteran, John Edwards (Warren Christie), who struggles with alcohol; Edwards’ sometime companion (Rebecca Amzallag) is a fiercely independent bar owner.
    — Judy Berman, Time, 9 July 2026
  • If necessary, Game 3 would be sometime Monday.
    — Tyler Estep, AJC.com, 3 June 2026
Definition of sometime
Adjective
  • Most projections land somewhere between late July and mid-August.
    — Brian Mazique, Forbes.com, 21 July 2026
  • At the same time, Rudolph was given a chance to win an important late-season game for the Steelers last year and committed a pair of costly turnovers in a loss to Chicago.
    — Mike DeFabo, New York Times, 21 July 2026
Definition of late

Phrases Containing once

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onanistic
once
once in a blue moon
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Cite this Entry

“Once.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/once. Accessed 27 Jul. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of once for Spanish Speakers

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