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
But if only a few nations achieve a measure of global AI supremacy, that could have far-reaching impacts on competitiveness, economic and financial power concentration, control over key technologies for modern life, and outsized social and cultural influence.
—
John Koetsier, Forbes.com, 11 Sep. 2025
Every later sleuth, including Kuriyama and Honan, needs to grapple with Nicholl, if only to rebut him.
—Anthony Lane, New Yorker, 8 Sep. 2025
Many of our fellow creatures do seem to prefer feeling that some tiny corner of the universe is uniquely theirs, if only for a moment.
—Ross Andersen, The Atlantic, 7 Sep. 2025
There is no magic pill that can make menopause disappear (if only).
—Jocelyn Solis-Moreira, Flow Space, 3 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for if only
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.
John Koetsier, Forbes.com, 11 Sep. 2025
Every later sleuth, including Kuriyama and Honan, needs to grapple with Nicholl, if only to rebut him.
—Anthony Lane, New Yorker, 8 Sep. 2025
Many of our fellow creatures do seem to prefer feeling that some tiny corner of the universe is uniquely theirs, if only for a moment.
—Ross Andersen, The Atlantic, 7 Sep. 2025
There is no magic pill that can make menopause disappear (if only).
—Jocelyn Solis-Moreira, Flow Space, 3 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for if only
Cite this Entry
“If only.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/if%20only. Accessed 16 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share