as in former
having been such at some previous time
the once child star is now a lawyer in the entertainment industry
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in when
just at the moment that
you should have stopped wrestling once you knew someone was getting hurt, not five minutes later
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of once
Conor McGill, CBS News, 6 June 2026
After several records of muted ideas, Death Cab for Cutie sound emboldened again while recalling the songwriting traits that once set them apart in a sea of indie-rock bands who’ve since petered out.
—Nina Corcoran, Pitchfork, 6 June 2026
Nandika Chatterjee, Time, 5 Nov. 2025
The flights through the once Category 5 storm have been particularly hairy, with one of the NOAA aircraft having to return to its base for a safety inspection after exceeding its g-force limits from the turbulence.
—Andrew Freedman, CNN Money, 31 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for once
Adverb
Today, the once-small gas station has evolved into a restaurant that draws customers from throughout the region.
—Conor McGill, CBS News, 6 June 2026
After several records of muted ideas, Death Cab for Cutie sound emboldened again while recalling the songwriting traits that once set them apart in a sea of indie-rock bands who’ve since petered out.
—Nina Corcoran, Pitchfork, 6 June 2026
Adjective
The once summer home became a residential dwelling once more.
—Nandika Chatterjee, Time, 5 Nov. 2025
The flights through the once Category 5 storm have been particularly hairy, with one of the NOAA aircraft having to return to its base for a safety inspection after exceeding its g-force limits from the turbulence.
—Andrew Freedman, CNN Money, 31 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for once
Recent Examples of Synonyms for once
Adverb
-
Sofia Montrone is as an adjunct assistant professor in Columbia’s undergraduate writing program, and formerly served as editor-in-chief of The Columbia Review and the director of Columbia Artist/Teachers.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
10 June 2026
-
Lucy is searching for her father Hank (MacLachlan) in order to bring him to justice, while The Ghoul, formerly known as movie star Cooper Howard, is on a search for clues about his pre-apocalypse life and what happened to his wife and daughter after the blasts.—
The Deadline Team,
Deadline,
10 June 2026
Adjective
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The village of Juaben is home to the Aston Villa supporters’ group The Ghana Lions, with their fandom tracing back to a love of the club’s former Republic of Ireland international defender Paul McGrath.—
Carl Anka,
New York Times,
10 June 2026
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With 48% of votes counted, Platner, an oyster farmer and former Marine, was winning with 72% to 20% for Mills.—
Phillip M. Bailey,
USA Today,
10 June 2026
Adjective
-
While a few of the old hunters were wistful about the memory of the large mammals, others saw extirpation as necessary progress.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
10 June 2026
-
The 24-year-old’s burning desire, elite athleticism, and an electrifying season at Triple-A Albuquerque busted down the big-league door.—
Patrick Saunders,
Denver Post,
10 June 2026
Adjective
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This article was generated by the Bay Area Home Report Bot, software that analyzes home sales or other data and creates an article based on a template created by humans.—
Bay Area Home Report,
Mercury News,
9 June 2026
-
Sony is underway on a search for a new star and other cast members.—
Pat Saperstein,
Variety,
9 June 2026
Adjective
-
The erstwhile New York resident was loudly and vigorously booed by the hometown crowd as he was shown on the jumbotron of the legendary arena.—
Dominic Patten,
Deadline,
8 June 2026
-
Despite his meltdown in Colorado’s extra-inning loss to Milwaukee Friday night, the erstwhile starter has been one of baseball’s best relievers this season.—
Patrick Saunders,
Denver Post,
7 June 2026
Adjective
-
Hills bend over valleys like graves for what remains of us, past and present.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
9 June 2026
-
Crean Lutheran recently received guard Earl Bryson who transferred from JSerra where Bryson was All-County second team as a junior this past season.—
Steve Fryer,
Oc Register,
8 June 2026
Adjective
-
If necessary, Game 3 would be sometime Monday.—
Tyler Estep,
AJC.com,
3 June 2026
-
That’s according to a new report from SAE International’s (and sometime Ars contributor) Roberto Baldwin.—
Jonathan M. Gitlin,
ArsTechnica,
2 June 2026
Adjective
-
Hegseth ordered this latest move to streamline the number of religions in a May 20 memo sparking the controversy with the Mormon lawmakers.—
Karissa Waddick,
USA Today,
9 June 2026
-
The Mystics came right back, taking the lead 76-75 after a late foul.—
Ian Miller,
FOXNews.com,
9 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Once.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/once. Accessed 12 Jun. 2026.
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