if only
idiom
—used to talk about something that one wants to happen or be true
If only she loved me in return!
If only it would stop raining.
Examples of if only in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Advertisement And activists have strong incentives to say that if only Biden would embrace their issues, his situation, especially with younger voters, would improve.
—
David Lauter, Los Angeles Times, 8 June 2024
To vary an old idiom: if only an ounce of compassion could be worth a pound of cure.
—Longreads, 7 June 2024
But Chairman Jerry Reinsdorf eventually will be forced to make a change, if only to persuade Sox fans to come back to the ballpark.
—Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 2 June 2024
Observation and oxygen therapy may be all that's needed if only a tiny portion of the lung has collapsed.
—Amanda Gardner, Health, 1 June 2024
Executives with the National Association of Chief Executive Officers might have something to say about this trend — if only to deny it — but its website does not list any actual human beings affiliated with the group.
—David Streitfeld, New York Times, 28 May 2024
When the war came, many of them, like the author of the city’s first history, remained loyal to the Union if only to protect their economic futures.
—Michael Wells, Kansas City Star, 22 May 2024
Attractive dark, fissured bark is showcased when leaves drop off, if only briefly, during the winter.
—Joshua Siskin, Orange County Register, 18 May 2024
The Dow Jones Industrial Average was essentially flat by midday Tuesday, while the S&P 500, and the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite were in the green, if only slightly.
—Will Daniel, Fortune, 14 May 2024
David Lauter, Los Angeles Times, 8 June 2024
To vary an old idiom: if only an ounce of compassion could be worth a pound of cure.
—Longreads, 7 June 2024
But Chairman Jerry Reinsdorf eventually will be forced to make a change, if only to persuade Sox fans to come back to the ballpark.
—Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 2 June 2024
Observation and oxygen therapy may be all that's needed if only a tiny portion of the lung has collapsed.
—Amanda Gardner, Health, 1 June 2024
Executives with the National Association of Chief Executive Officers might have something to say about this trend — if only to deny it — but its website does not list any actual human beings affiliated with the group.
—David Streitfeld, New York Times, 28 May 2024
When the war came, many of them, like the author of the city’s first history, remained loyal to the Union if only to protect their economic futures.
—Michael Wells, Kansas City Star, 22 May 2024
Attractive dark, fissured bark is showcased when leaves drop off, if only briefly, during the winter.
—Joshua Siskin, Orange County Register, 18 May 2024
The Dow Jones Industrial Average was essentially flat by midday Tuesday, while the S&P 500, and the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite were in the green, if only slightly.
—Will Daniel, Fortune, 14 May 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'if only.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near if only
Cite this Entry
“If only.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/if%20only. Accessed 14 Jun. 2024.
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