as in except
not including
brought everything but the kitchen table to the campground
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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
Angelica Jade Bastién, Vulture, 3 July 2025
Those along for the journey will remember it as anything but.
—Corey Masisak, The Denver Post, 3 Mar. 2025
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
The film frames Sonny as the underdog but treats him like anything but.
—Angelica Jade Bastién, Vulture, 3 July 2025
Those along for the journey will remember it as anything but.
—Corey Masisak, The Denver Post, 3 Mar. 2025
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
-
Residents near the park, located off David Drive in the Bonnie Brae neighborhood, said they were awakened just before midnight by gunfire and emergency sirens.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
10 Jan. 2026
-
Designed to bridge the gap between automotive ease and aerospace innovation, the vehicle targets consumers looking for adventure rather than just urban commuting.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
10 Jan. 2026
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
Adverb
-
Kokoloff said the film industry hasn’t only had to compete domestically, but also internationally because production is moving out of the United States and going to countries offering better financial incentives.—
Marianne Love,
Daily News,
13 Jan. 2026
-
The Jackson County Legislature only has jurisdiction over policies related to the county sheriff’s office and does not have explicit authority over federal immigration agencies or area cities’ police departments.—
Ilana Arougheti,
Kansas City Star,
13 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“But.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/but. Accessed 14 Jan. 2026.
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