not

adverb

Definition of notnext
as in never
in no way or under no circumstances The food was so burnt that it was not edible.

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Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for not
  1. never
  2. rarely
  3. seldom
Adverb
  • As a vocalist, Rose has never sounded zanier or more frenzied.
    — Zach Schonfeld, Pitchfork, 26 Oct. 2026
  • Netanyahu denies he was warned and has never admitted any kind of responsibility for the security failure.
    — Daniel Estrin, NPR, 25 Oct. 2026
Definition of never
Adverb
  • These sounds are strange bedfellows, but the delirium rarely feels indulgent or trivial.
    — Kieran Press-Reynolds, Pitchfork, 26 Oct. 2026
  • Hitler rarely used the Kehlsteinhaus — unlike the Berghof residence, also in the Berchtesgaden area, the ruins of which were demolished in 1952.
    — Geir Moulson, Los Angeles Times, 25 Oct. 2026
Definition of rarely
Adverb
  • Such a gamble could deepen Israel’s insecurity, but electoral desperation seldom improves anyone’s judgment.
    — Ali Vaez, Time, 21 Oct. 2026
  • An explicit solution of Schrödinger’s equation was seldom required.
    — Philipp Strasberg, Scientific American, 20 Oct. 2026
Definition of seldom
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.

Phrases Containing not

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nosy
not
notabilities
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Cite this Entry

“Not.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/not. Accessed 26 Oct. 2026.

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