if not

idiom

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

Hundreds, if not thousands, of protesters have been killed. —Karl Vick, Time, 13 Jan. 2026

With the Heat attempting to establish stability with the starting lineup of Bam Adebayo, Andrew Wiggins, Norman Powell, Tyler Herro and Davion Mitchell — the support system arguably is ample, if not necessarily anchored. —Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 13 Jan. 2026

Sokolowski notes that ideally, people are washing their bath towels after every three to four uses, if not even more often. —Sarah Lyon, The Spruce, 13 Jan. 2026

The Disney veteran is one of several smart folks who believe there’s a better—if not faster—way to compensate artists than working through record labels. —Andrew Nusca, Fortune, 13 Jan. 2026

Rhymes for if not

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