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
Rachel Royster, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 Feb. 2026
Nearly every brewery here specializes in the once-hipster drink and those with an affinity for the beverage are lucky ducks.
—Becky Bartkowski, AZCentral.com, 14 Feb. 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
Reducing meetings to once a month and limiting public comment create barriers.
—Rachel Royster, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 Feb. 2026
Nearly every brewery here specializes in the once-hipster drink and those with an affinity for the beverage are lucky ducks.
—Becky Bartkowski, AZCentral.com, 14 Feb. 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
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The location at Persimmon Place just north of Interstate 580 features indoor and patio seating in a spot that formerly housed Patxi’s Pizza.—
Linda Zavoral,
Mercury News,
11 Feb. 2026
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After the league phase wrapped up back in mid-December 2025, the UEFA Women’s Champions League returns with knockout playoff rounds with the best 12 teams remaining to compete for the league’s trophy (formerly known as the UEFA Women’s Cup).—
Rudie Obias,
HollywoodReporter,
11 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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The visit by Ali Larijani, a former Iranian parliament speaker who now serves as the secretary to the country's Supreme National Security Council, likely focused on what comes next after the initial round of indirect talks held last week in Muscat with the Americans.—
JON GAMBRELL THE ASSOCIATED PRESS,
Arkansas Online,
11 Feb. 2026
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The Lakers next play Thursday night here against the Mavericks, Doncic’s former team.—
Broderick Turner,
Los Angeles Times,
11 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Given James is 41 years old, there was always going to be load management absences, especially on back-to-backs.—
Scott Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
11 Feb. 2026
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Brain game may reduce risk of Alzheimer’s A certain type of brain training appears to prevent or delay dementia by some 25% in people older than age 65.—
Alexandra Banner,
CNN Money,
11 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Acclaimed Black music artists like Duke Ellington, Sarah Vaughn and Cab Calloway stopped at Dooky Chase's post-performance, unable to patronize other establishments.—
Marc Ramirez,
USA Today,
17 Feb. 2026
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While 657 classified positions have been identified for closure, the district spokesperson said the final number of layoffs has not yet been determined and is expected to be lower due to retirements and other personnel moves.—
Teresa Liu,
Daily News,
17 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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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
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La Dolce Vita and the Minerva, which occupies the erstwhile palazzo of 17th-century aristocrats, debuted last April.—
Adam Erace,
Travel + Leisure,
6 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Units often operate across wider areas than in past conflicts.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
17 Feb. 2026
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Many of those donating are current or past members of the synagogue.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
17 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Hamid had an eye toward bringing on another partner who’d be his counterpart, sounding board, and sometime foil.—
Allie Garfinkle,
Fortune,
31 Jan. 2026
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Yet there’s also a lot of love in the doc, particularly in the generous passages that explore his friendship with Reiner (who died in 2020) and his singular bond with second wife and sometime leading lady Anne Bancroft, who’s been gone for more than two decades.—
Judy Berman,
Time,
30 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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Democrats sent Republicans and the White House an immigration enforcement counteroffer late Monday night, though there’s still no strong momentum for a deal.—
Burgess Everett,
semafor.com,
17 Feb. 2026
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Paramount has already filed a lawsuit over the merger battle, so WBD’s latest by-the-book move might also be seen as a legal safeguard.—
Brian Stelter,
CNN Money,
17 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Once.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/once. Accessed 17 Feb. 2026.
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