1
as in occasional
happening only once
with any luck, that was a onetime mistake
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in former
having been such at some previous time
the onetime English teacher now works for a newspaper
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 onetime
Meg James, Los Angeles Times, 23 Mar. 2026
Some of Hollywood’s biggest stars in the action blockbuster world are paying their respects to Chuck Norris, the actor and onetime martial arts champion who died Thursday.
—Kory Grow, Rolling Stone, 20 Mar. 2026
Brock Keeling, Oc Register, 19 Sep. 2025
In wealthy Medellin, hawkers have transformed onetime local drug lord Pablo Escobar into a mascot for touristic trinkets.
—Ladan Anoushfar, CNN Money, 6 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for onetime
Adjective
Her onetime partner, Dakota Mortensen, recorded the video of the attack on his cellphone.
—Meg James, Los Angeles Times, 23 Mar. 2026
Some of Hollywood’s biggest stars in the action blockbuster world are paying their respects to Chuck Norris, the actor and onetime martial arts champion who died Thursday.
—Kory Grow, Rolling Stone, 20 Mar. 2026
Adverb
Find it: Level one, Bloomingdale’s wing A onetime larger chain with only a few spots still in operation, this one at South Coast Plaza offers comfy fare including chicken pot pie, Southwest chicken egg rolls, steaks, burgers and salads..
—Brock Keeling, Oc Register, 19 Sep. 2025
In wealthy Medellin, hawkers have transformed onetime local drug lord Pablo Escobar into a mascot for touristic trinkets.
—Ladan Anoushfar, CNN Money, 6 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for onetime
Recent Examples of Synonyms for onetime
Adjective
-
Mostly playing garbage time minutes for the Lakers, or the occasional start when injuries depleted the game-day roster, Bronny James stepped into rotation minutes in Indiana.—
Benjamin Royer,
Oc Register,
26 Mar. 2026
-
Driving east on Route 80 toward the Meta site in Holly Ridge, an unincorporated rural community about 15 minutes east of Rayville—the landscape is defined by flat expanses of soybean and cotton fields, punctuated by grain silos, grazing cows, and the occasional tractor.—
Sharon Goldman,
Fortune,
26 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Pretti and former Kansas City resident Renée Good were both killed in January.—
Matthew Kelly
April 1,
Kansas City Star,
1 Apr. 2026
-
Rubio met with the grandson of former Cuban leader Raul Castro in February.—
Francesca Chambers,
USA Today,
1 Apr. 2026
Adverb
-
The brand has grown its distribution to 75 doors, up tenfold over the past two years, a move led by chief executive officer Savannah Sachs, formerly CEO of Tula.—
Ryma Chikhoune,
Footwear News,
25 Mar. 2026
-
Matt Brittin, formerly Google’s EMEA president, has been named the new director-general at the BBC.—
Lily Ford,
HollywoodReporter,
25 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Still, the erstwhile tax credit made the cars more accessible.—
Michael Smolens,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
22 Mar. 2026
-
This includes an erstwhile Democrat who spent considerable time and political capital on the issue.—
W. James Antle III,
The Washington Examiner,
20 Mar. 2026
Adverb
-
White once again led the Hornets’ bench brigade, tossing in 16 points to go with four rebounds and two assists.—
Roderick Boone,
Charlotte Observer,
29 Mar. 2026
-
Hikes to your overnight at San Pedrillo Station are longer and slower, and you’ll be rewarded with a once-in-a-lifetime immersion in the pristine jungle.—
Meghan Palmer,
Condé Nast Traveler,
29 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Brake gently as needed - Brake normally if the vehicle has anti-lock brakes and pump brakes gently if in an older vehicle.—
KANSAS CITY STAR WEATHER BOT,
Kansas City Star,
1 Apr. 2026
-
Her older brother, Aiden, is a junior on South Elgin’s junior varsity baseball team.—
Rick Armstrong,
Chicago Tribune,
1 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Onetime.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/onetime. Accessed 2 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
