as in except
not including
brought everything but the kitchen table to the campground
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of but
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
Democrat-Gazette Staff From Wire Reports, arkansasonline.com, 2 Nov. 2024
Don’t call it a reboot, because, as many viewers have discovered, the new CBS drama Matlock starring Oscar winner Kathy Bates is everything but.
—Ronda Racha Penrice, The Hollywood Reporter, 3 Sep. 2019
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
See All Example Sentences for 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
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
Don’t call it a reboot, because, as many viewers have discovered, the new CBS drama Matlock starring Oscar winner Kathy Bates is everything but.
—Ronda Racha Penrice, The Hollywood Reporter, 3 Sep. 2019
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
See All Example Sentences for but
Recent Examples of Synonyms for but
Preposition
-
At Dollywood’s DreamMore Resort, face masks are required in public areas, except when dining or swimming, capacity of public areas will be limited, and housekeeping and public area attendants will increase their cleaning procedures.—
Elizabeth Rhodes,
Travel + Leisure,
4 June 2020
-
The city advised all residents to stay inside except those going to and from work and anyone seeking or giving emergency care, according to Mayor Eric Garcetti's official Twitter account.—
NBC News,
NBC News,
1 June 2020
Adverb
-
One point is needed to open each door between rooms, and some rooms have multi-point penalties just for entering.—
Kayti Burt,
Time,
26 Sep. 2025
-
Check out our favorite Nordstrom sale picks below, with accessories starting at just $8.—
Caley Sturgill,
Southern Living,
26 Sep. 2025
Adverb
-
Recent renovations of Swift's home have only fueled rumors.—
Bryan West,
USA Today,
29 Sep. 2025
-
Since the switch to the 14-team playoff format in 2020, only five teams have started 1-3 and made the playoffs.—
Hunter Simpson,
MSNBC Newsweek,
29 Sep. 2025
Preposition
-
But his death had many contributing factors besides being unable to breath while face down on the ground.—
Kevin Grasha,
Cincinnati.com,
2 June 2020
-
The airline’s crew members and ground services personnel are undergoing detailed health check-ups at regular intervals, besides wearing protective gear at all times.—
Niharika Sharma,
Quartz India,
31 May 2020
Preposition
-
To watch Lipe-Smith’s Caroline cuddle in bed watching TV on her iPad, or bopping around to JoJo Siwa, or pensively finishing a Popsicle while sitting beside her grandmother at a museum, is to have the sheer malevolence of our current administration and its adherents thrown into sharp relief.—
Sara Holdren,
Vulture,
1 Oct. 2025
-
There is a Little Havana, with stores and restaurants that evoke those on the island, and a park where men gather to play dominoes beside a monument commemorating the botched Bay of Pigs invasion.—
Jon Lee Anderson,
New Yorker,
29 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“But.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/but. Accessed 2 Oct. 2025.
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