on 1 of 3

1
2
as in against
in or into contact with don't lean on that ladder—you'll knock it over

Synonyms & Similar Words

on

2 of 3

adverb

1
as in onwards
toward a point ahead in space or time we really must move on now if we're going to end this meeting before midnight

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

2
as in forward
toward or at a point lying in advance in space or time he's getting on in years and doesn't see or hear as well as he used to

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

on

3 of 3

adjective

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 on
Preposition
In March 2024, a 1,384-square-foot home on the 800 block of Stingray Terrace in Fremont sold for $1,600,000, a price per square foot of $1,156. Bay Area Home Report, Mercury News, 27 Sep. 2025 After receiving the opening kickoff, the Hawks marched up the field in just over two minutes, as senior running back Kyle Celestin bowled over a tackler on his way to the end zone for a nine-yard touchdown rush. Brendan Connelly, Boston Herald, 27 Sep. 2025 All eyes, and cameras, were on Ethan Holliday during Rockies batting practice Friday night. Patrick Saunders, Denver Post, 20 Sep. 2025 With Original Sin canceled, Phillips is also skeptical that another prequel focused on the Trinity Killer (played by John Lithgow in season four of the original show) will go forward. Rick Porter, HollywoodReporter, 19 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for on
Recent Examples of Synonyms for on
Preposition
  • Was any decision made regarding reducing Partey’s media obligations?
    James McNicholas, New York Times, 11 July 2025
  • The tragedy is still under investigation but concerns have been raised regarding congested airspace and understaffed air traffic control facilities at Reagan National.
    Desiree Mathurin, Charlotte Observer, 5 Feb. 2025
Preposition
  • The Razorbacks are scheduled to play home games against Georgia, Tennessee, LSU, South Carolina and Missouri, and road games at Texas A&M, Texas, Auburn and Vanderbilt as part of the SEC’s first 9-game conference schedule.
    Matt Jones, Arkansas Online, 24 Sep. 2025
  • Williams will look to prove that his big performance against Dallas was not a fluke.
    Evan Massey, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Sep. 2025
Adverb
  • The Wild released defensemen Rowan Topp and Jordan Tourigny, and sent three players – forward Matthew Sop and Ryan McGuire and goalie William Rousseau – to Iowa Wild training camp.
    Jess Myers, Twin Cities, 23 Sep. 2025
  • Learn from the loss, correct the mistakes and move forward.
    Jim Alexander, Oc Register, 23 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Last year, though revenue and operating profit increased, non-operating red ink pushed the company into a full-year loss of NT$766 million, or $25 million.
    Russell Flannery, Forbes.com, 26 Aug. 2025
  • The adjusted net income decreased by 8% y-o-y to $3.9 billion in the first nine months of 2022 due to higher expenses as a % of revenues and lower non-operating income.
    Trefis Team, Forbes, 11 Jan. 2023
Preposition
  • Stay Awhile The 21c Museum Hotel Bentonville is filled with contemporary art for guests to happen upon throughout their visit.
    Lisa Cericola, Southern Living, 15 Sep. 2025
  • Now, textiles will face punishing 59 percent tariffs due to the new, 50 percent duties stacking upon an existing MFN rate of 9 percent.
    Kate Nishimura, Sourcing Journal, 26 Aug. 2025
Adverb
  • After the first few months of chemotherapy, Alisha says, Weston was able to go home and do treatment while going back and forth from the hospital.
    Tabitha Parent, PEOPLE, 26 Sep. 2025
  • In August, Fox and Google went back and forth, with the former threatening to pull its channels.
    Greta Cross, USA Today, 26 Sep. 2025
Adverb
  • As the high school football season keeps rolling along, so do the undefeated Bishop’s School Knights, who stretched their season-opening winning streak to four this week.
    La Jolla Light, San Diego Union-Tribune, 20 Sep. 2025
  • The shop chugged along through the 1980s as management passed from founder Roy Kepler to his son, Clark, but by 2005, the business landscape for bookstores and booksellers had changed and deteriorated.
    Kate Bradshaw, Mercury News, 19 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Donell Harvin, a homeland security and public health emergency expert at Georgetown University, told CNN on Sunday that the attacker may have conducted pre-operational surveillance and come up with a plan that maximizes fatalities and damage.
    Jason Ma, Fortune, 29 Sep. 2025
  • This prefab home is covered with massive, operational windows that allow light to pour in on each side and can be opened to let in a cool breeze.
    Amelia McBride, Travel + Leisure, 28 Sep. 2025

Cite this Entry

“On.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/on. Accessed 30 Sep. 2025.

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