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
Crash reported on southbound I-435 There has been a crash on I-435 between MO-12/Truman Road/Exit 60 and I-70/Exit 63. Kansas City Star, 11 Oct. 2025 But Takaichi stood out for her rhetoric, vowing to crack down on rule-breaking visitors and immigrants. Hanako Montgomery, CNN Money, 11 Oct. 2025 Brook Fire has been burning on federal land managed by the United States Forest Service. Ca Wildfire Bot, Sacbee.com, 2 Oct. 2025 In 2016, Fallon invited Trump to appear on the late-night show. Emily Zemler, Rolling Stone, 1 Oct. 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
  • Richardson sustained the injury and was hospitalized after a stretching band snapped, sending an attached pole forcibly against his face.
    Matt Audilet, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 Oct. 2025
  • It’s long been stated that his departure was the result of a disagreement with van Doesburg over the use of diagonal lines in De Stijl artworks, which van Doesburg supported and Mondrian was against.
    JSTOR Daily, JSTOR Daily, 15 Oct. 2025
Adverb
  • Twenty states and the District of Columbia sued the Administration, arguing that the layoffs were meant to hobble the department out of existence, but the Supreme Court allowed the cuts to move forward.
    Emma Green, New Yorker, 13 Oct. 2025
  • The 23-year-old forward was the one with the ball in his hands, dictating actions, making decisions.
    Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 13 Oct. 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
  • Their biting wit turned upon whiteness and the colonizer has served as much inspiration.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 15 Oct. 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
  • The original shows were created as limited series with characters that could bounce back and forth between the movies and TV shows.
    Nick Romano, Entertainment Weekly, 10 Oct. 2025
  • Then Waller held forth on the economy and the sputtering labor market.
    Eleanor Pringle, Fortune, 10 Oct. 2025
Adverb
  • Follow along for the latest updates below.
    The Hill, The Hill, 13 Oct. 2025
  • Her characters skitter along in language, rarely lighting on anything for long.
    Hilton Als, New Yorker, 13 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • The paper addresses operational procedures, describing mechanical and electrical triggers, containment strategies for managing gases, and a full process timeline of roughly 335 minutes from initiation to material extraction.
    Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 12 Oct. 2025
  • Tuesday was filled with intensive coaching and mentorship sessions with Walmart and Sam's Club merchants, sourcing experts and past Open Call alumni about scaling up production, improving packaging, and strengthening their financial and operational readiness.
    Serenah McKay, Arkansas Online, 11 Oct. 2025

Cite this Entry

“On.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/on. Accessed 18 Oct. 2025.

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