if not

phrase

1

—used to talk about the negative result or effect of something

You should study. If not, you won't pass the test.

2

—used to express surprise about meeting someone when it is not expected

So I went to the game and who should I see there if not my old friend Tom!

Examples of if not in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

And in these most troubling of ages, when artificial intelligence threatens our very existence and truth has become a battleground, the star wants to offer a salve, if not salvation. — David Fear, Rolling Stone, 29 Sep. 2026

Minnesota made the playoffs last season and will expect to do the same, if not become more of a Stanley Cup contender, and that will be harder to do with Faber sidelined. — Matt Reigle Outkick, FOXNews.com, 29 Sep. 2026

Nike’s experimented with other applications such as mules and tennis shoes, but the results were mocked if not downright disastrous. — Ian Servantes, Footwear News, 29 Sep. 2026

Billy Les said if the cameras are used for good, keep them; if not, get rid of them. — Jordan Burrows, CBS News, 29 Sep. 2026

Rhymes for if not

• allot
• barat
• begot
• besought
• bethought
• bloodshot
• boycott
• buckshot
• crackpot
• croat
• culottes
• dashpot