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
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Recent Examples of once
Npr Staff, NPR, 21 Mar. 2026
And much of it won’t be captured by systems designed for slower snowmelts that once lasted for months.
—Mark Gongloff, Mercury News, 21 Mar. 2026
Matt Lavietes, NBC news, 13 Aug. 2025
The once grand Art Deco hotel is owned by an LLC called St. George Hotel Associate, which is also responsible for maintaining the Clark Street stop under an agreement with the MTA.
—Matthew Sedacca, Curbed, 5 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for once
Adverb
Deadly fighting broke out once again this week in southern Syria between fighters from Syria's government and the Druze, a minority religious group.
—Npr Staff, NPR, 21 Mar. 2026
And much of it won’t be captured by systems designed for slower snowmelts that once lasted for months.
—Mark Gongloff, Mercury News, 21 Mar. 2026
Adjective
The once jet-setting, Oscar-winning movie producer has remained in custody at Rikers Island jail, and has frequently been hospitalized due to health issues.
—Matt Lavietes, NBC news, 13 Aug. 2025
The once grand Art Deco hotel is owned by an LLC called St. George Hotel Associate, which is also responsible for maintaining the Clark Street stop under an agreement with the MTA.
—Matthew Sedacca, Curbed, 5 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for once
Recent Examples of Synonyms for once
Adverb
-
The 27-mile round-trip climb from Idaho Springs to the peak of the fourteener formerly known as Mount Evans dates back to 1962.—
John Meyer,
Denver Post,
19 Mar. 2026
-
Paul Aurelio McClain, 46, formerly a sergeant with the campus police department, entered a plea to the federal indictment’s sole count, possession of child pornography.—
City News Service,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
18 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Ministers remain haunted by events in September 2000 when former Prime Minister Tony Blair’s government, with a majority as large as Starmer’s now, was rocked as farmers and hauliers blockaded refineries and fuel depots amid fury over taxes levied on petrol and diesel.—
Ian King,
CNBC,
18 Mar. 2026
-
The Republican field includes former state Republican Party chair Don Tracy and attorney Jeannie Evans.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
18 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Blume would shower with her father and her older brother, David.—
Katy Waldman,
New Yorker,
18 Mar. 2026
-
The funeral prayer for the 41-year-old Afghan father of six who died Saturday in ICE custody was held Tuesday while more questions arise about why he was picked up and what caused his death less than a day later.—
Fousia Abdullahi,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
18 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Illinois also broke with federal vaccine recommendations on other occasions last year, deciding to continue to recommend hepatitis B vaccines for nearly all newborns and to continue to recommend COVID-19 vaccines for all children ages 6 to 23 months.—
Lisa Schencker,
Chicago Tribune,
17 Mar. 2026
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Rainy weather driving tips Switch on headlights - Even during daylight hours, using headlights can enhance visibility and signal your presence to other drivers.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
17 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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The erstwhile third baseman moved to right field midway through camp last spring then placed fourth among MLB right fielders in defensive runs saved as a rookie, per Sports Info Solutions.—
Matt Kawahara,
Houston Chronicle,
24 Feb. 2026
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Directed and co-written by Alexandre Rockwell, the film follows an aspiring filmmaker (Steve Buscemi) who falls in with an irresistibly charming gangster (Seymour Cassel, who won Sundance’s first acting award) as his erstwhile producer.—
Mark Olsen,
Los Angeles Times,
6 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Read transcripts from past live chats here.—
Carolyn Hax,
Washington Post,
27 Mar. 2026
-
Anderson’s collection was indebted to Galliano, with references to his past designs and the incorporation of cyclamen—of the kind Galliano presented to the younger couturier at their first meeting—across many pieces, as well as the impressive Musée Rodin set.—
Vogue,
Vogue,
17 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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In my new novel, set during the offseason in her sometime-lover’s family beach house, ‘lover girl’ floats from boy to boy, beach to city, and ultimately to Paris, searching for ever-elusive meaning, love, and inspiration.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
26 Feb. 2026
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The soft, romantic look of a boho dress can bring a levity to an all black outfit which is a nice break from the sometime cumbersome stylings of wearing a single color head-to-toe.—
Shelby Comroe,
InStyle,
17 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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The Basij were the entity linked to the crackdown on nationwide civilian protests in late December and early January, allegedly killing thousands.—
Mike Brest,
The Washington Examiner,
17 Mar. 2026
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Our demographic is very broad, and ranges from early twenties to late eighties.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
17 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Once.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/once. Accessed 22 Mar. 2026.
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