Definition of onnext
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 forward
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 along
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
By its sixth season, episodes also streamed on Hotstar, which, like the channel, was owned by Star India. — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 30 Sep. 2026 Users will be able to request information on security officers, informants or recruitment targets based on their name, date or place of birth, mother's name, code name and document type or number. — Arkansas Online, 30 Sep. 2026 Ecuador, Peru, and Chile draw nature enthusiasts seeking soft or active adventure; and each of these destinations is also often found on the lists of must-see places for the well-traveled. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 30 Sep. 2026 Fusion reaction milestone Most fusion projects, including the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER) in France, focus on D-T fusion because it can be achieved under less demanding conditions than alternative fuel cycles. — Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 30 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for on
Recent Examples of Synonyms for on
Preposition
  • With all that said, there are still a lot of pleasures in this production that remain failsafe, even after the ride toward a way-too-inevitable outcome is firmly on its tracks.
    — Chris Willman, Variety, 24 Sep. 2026
  • The announcements came at Meta Connect 2026 as the company continues shifting its wearable strategy toward glasses and its personal AI agent, Muse.
    — Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 24 Sep. 2026
Preposition
  • Towns asked, referencing his dismissal from Game 5 against the Spurs.
    — Ethan Shanfeld, Variety, 27 Sep. 2026
  • Bo Davidson hit a tying sacrifice fly off Evan Phillips (3-2) with two outs in the eighth for San Francisco before Hernandez answered against Trent Harris (0-1) for his fourth home run.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 27 Sep. 2026
Adverb
  • California is moving forward with plans to link its signature climate program, cap-and-invest, to that of Washington State, a major step officials say will cut more pollution and increase revenue for key state programs.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 23 Sep. 2026
  • But with Charlotte reversing its stance the controversial toll lanes project is all but guaranteed to move forward.
    — DJ Simmons, Charlotte Observer, 23 Sep. 2026
Adverb
  • Murray said that in recent spending negotiations, Democrats fought to include language to prevent the administration from usurping Congress’ power on spending decisions, but Republicans have declined to go along.
    — Kevin Freking, Los Angeles Times, 26 Sep. 2026
  • Five years later, as the assembly meets this week, the world's climate commitments are dangerously offtrack, and the phase down of coal is inching along.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 26 Sep. 2026
Adjective
  • That sits on the books of the league’s 32 Equity investment arm, and 1/32 of any gains or losses in the entity flow through the Packers’ non-operating income.
    — Kurt Badenhausen, Sportico.com, 24 July 2026
  • True, some if the upside surprise has come from non-operating gains on holdings in huge, private AI pioneers, but not all of it.
    — Michael Santoli, CNBC, 2 June 2026
Preposition
  • Metro Police detectives are continuing to investigate the shooting, and are in contact with the District Attorney’s Office regarding charging decisions.
    — Vivian Jones, Nashville Tennessean, 18 Oct. 2025
  • Was any decision made regarding reducing Partey’s media obligations?
    — James McNicholas, New York Times, 11 July 2025
Preposition
  • An increase has not been formally agreed upon and is still under evaluation, officials said.
    — DJ Simmons June 17, Charlotte Observer, 17 June 2026
  • Since Köhler's early work, researchers have conducted similar experiments involving an out-of-reach reward and an object to stand upon in birds and elephants.
    — Ari Daniel, NPR, 7 June 2026
Adverb
  • Polo has gone back and forth between Category 4 and 5, both major-hurricane strength.
    — MEGAN JANETSKY, Arkansas Online, 25 Sep. 2026
  • Cutting back and forth between the present and the past, each member of the unit reflects on a hostage situation turned ICE raid that went completely off track, leaving an unarmed civilian shot dead by Hondo’s hand.
    — Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 25 Sep. 2026

Cite this Entry

“On.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/on. Accessed 30 Sep. 2026.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster