Synonyms of but

but 1 of 3

preposition

as in except

not including

brought everything but the kitchen table to the campground

Synonyms & Similar Words

• except
• excepting
• besides
• beside
• other than
• except for
• excluding
• saving
• bar
• outside
• apart from
• barring
• save
• exclusive of
• outside of
• aside from

but

2 of 3

adverb

as in just

nothing more than

she is but a child and too young to understand such things

Synonyms & Similar Words

• just
• only
• merely
• simply
• purely

but

3 of 3

conjunction

ˈbət 

as in excepting

if it were not for the fact that

I would have said something but I was too chicken

Synonyms & Similar Words

• excepting
• yet
• except
• only
• saving

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of but

Preposition

These assumptions are in need of scrutiny, not by comparison with other countries but of this country with itself a few generations ago. —Marilynne Robinson, The New York Review of Books, 27 May 2020

Nick has more power but Joey is a bit more nimble -- everything else is essentially equal. —John Owning, Dallas News, 27 May 2020

Adverb

Consider the original 18-to-20-inch base moldings in the living room, an element the client had first fallen in love with but that were all but wiped out. —Katherine Burns Olson, Architectural Digest, 4 Nov. 2024

Those who haven't but have sworn to it under the penalty of law are allowed to participate only in federal elections. —Democrat-Gazette Staff From Wire Reports, arkansasonline.com, 2 Nov. 2024

Conjunction

But campus leaders like Chancellor Vincent Fulginiti and many community donors had a bigger vision. —Matthew Wynia, The Denver Post, 1 May 2017

Normally a chain moving here wouldn’t pique my interest too much, but this place has got some serious fans — called ‘ —Allyson Reedy, The Know, 24 Apr. 2017

Phrases Containing but

• all but