once 1 of 3

adverb

ˈwən(t)s How to pronounce once (audio)
Definition of oncenext
as in formerly
at an earlier or previous time I once knew the quotation, but time has taken its toll on my brain cells

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

once

2 of 3

adjective

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

once

3 of 3

conjunction

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. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of once
Adverb
One common tactic for operators in Texas, according to Floodlight, is to announce a small data center development that would come in under pollution thresholds, only to suddenly expand once established. — Victor Tangermann, Futurism, 9 July 2026 Rebin Rahmani, a Kurdish activist once imprisoned in Iran and now living in Paris, said the theocracy under Khamenei lacked any answer to multiplying political and economic problems — except further repression. — ABC News, 9 July 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
  1. formerly
  2. former
  3. old
  4. other
  5. erstwhile
  6. past
  7. sometime
  8. late
Adverb
  • The company, formerly branded as Maxar, was acquired by Intuitive Machines in January 2026 for about $800 million.
    — Stephen Clark, ArsTechnica, 3 July 2026
  • The lake that formerly covered the work was far out, glistening nearly out of sight, and the sand cracked beneath our feet.
    — Lara Johnson-Wheeler, Vogue, 3 July 2026
Definition of formerly
Adjective
  • Rick Jackson meets with two former foster children including Crystal Williams (left) at the Sloppy Floyd Building in January 2014 before heading to the Capitol for a meeting with lawmakers.
    — Riley Bunch, AJC.com, 10 July 2026
  • O'Connor is among roughly 30 judges, including two former federal judges and a current federal judge, who will participate in the tour.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 10 July 2026
Definition of former
Adjective
  • Meek, a 10-year-old Black girl, is grappling with her fears of nuclear Armageddon as more prosaic domestic concerns kick into high gear.
    — Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 8 July 2026
  • However, that is changing as the US Department of Defense seeks more robust, less vulnerable power systems for military satellites that are less hazardous than the older spacecraft powered by uranium and plutonium.
    — David Szondy July 07, New Atlas, 8 July 2026
Definition of old
Adjective
  • Despite these complexities, active carriers maintain powerful air wings with F/A-18 Super Hornets and other advanced aircraft.
    — Peter Suciu, Forbes.com, 8 July 2026
  • For reasons that remain unclear, he was subsequently approved to be moved in with other detainees.
    — Jeff McDonald, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 July 2026
Definition of other
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
Definition of erstwhile
Adjective
  • Then Mookie Betts drove him in with a comebacker over the mound and past flailing second baseman Edouard Julien.
    — Maddie Lee, Los Angeles Times, 7 July 2026
  • Casemiro’s performance against Japan was a microcosm of his past three seasons at club level.
    — Mark Carey, New York Times, 6 July 2026
Definition of past
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
Definition of sometime
Adjective
  • The European side then notched up a third goal from Hans Vanaken just before the hour mark, before Romelu Lukaku wrapped up the victory with a late strike in injury time.
    — Lee Ying Shan,Lim Hui Jie, CNBC, 7 July 2026
  • Photographer Phil Oh captures the drama and frivolity in Paris as designers present their latest couture collections.
    — Phil Oh, Vogue, 7 July 2026
Definition of late

Phrases Containing once

Browse Nearby Words

onanistic
once
once in a blue moon
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Cite this Entry

“Once.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/once. Accessed 10 Jul. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of once for Spanish Speakers

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