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
Nora Dahlia, PEOPLE, 25 Oct. 2025
Cortez Masto, a former state attorney general, was first elected to the Senate in 2016, replacing the onetime Senate majority leader, Harry Reid, after the Democrat retired.
—Mark Z. Barabak, Mercury News, 17 Oct. 2025
Dave Goldiner, New York Daily News, 28 May 2025
Garcia, who defected to the U.S. in the 1990s and has devoted himself to helping American spy catchers unmask Cuban agents, said onetime Cuban agents have infiltrated the current migration wave while hiding their past and even current loyalties to the Cuban government.
—Joshua Goodman, Los Angeles Times, 27 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for onetime
Adjective
Written by a onetime Vogue editor, this novel follows an editorial assistant at the world’s most prestigious fashion magazine at the turn of the millennium.
—Nora Dahlia, PEOPLE, 25 Oct. 2025
Cortez Masto, a former state attorney general, was first elected to the Senate in 2016, replacing the onetime Senate majority leader, Harry Reid, after the Democrat retired.
—Mark Z. Barabak, Mercury News, 17 Oct. 2025
Adverb
Fiscal hawks have slammed it for failing to rein in federal spending, while populists like onetime Trump whisperer Steve Bannon have suggested the cuts could prove damaging with working-class voters.
—Dave Goldiner, New York Daily News, 28 May 2025
Garcia, who defected to the U.S. in the 1990s and has devoted himself to helping American spy catchers unmask Cuban agents, said onetime Cuban agents have infiltrated the current migration wave while hiding their past and even current loyalties to the Cuban government.
—Joshua Goodman, Los Angeles Times, 27 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for onetime
Recent Examples of Synonyms for onetime
Adjective
-
There are occasional reminders that the Mafia lingers.—
Preston Fore,
Fortune,
25 Oct. 2025
-
All the pieces seem to fit, producing a symphony of contact and occasional crescendo of slug.—
Ken Rosenthal,
New York Times,
25 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Parente, a former federal prosecutor, has often described the incident leading up to the shooting as nothing more than a minor car accident.—
Omar Jimenez,
CNN Money,
6 Nov. 2025
-
He was appointed interim commissioner in August following the retirement of former Commissioner Alan McClain.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
6 Nov. 2025
Adverb
-
Greenwood Republican Stacie Smith is seeking election to the vacant Senate District 26 seat formerly held by the late Gary Stubblefield, R-Branch, Smith announced on Thursday.—
Ella McCarthy,
Arkansas Online,
31 Oct. 2025
-
Her character formerly dated Jay on the show, as well as firefighter Kelly Severide from Chicago Fire, portrayed by Taylor Kinney.—
Francesca Gariano,
PEOPLE,
30 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
For one, Chicago is getting numb to seeing its erstwhile heroes in another city’s colors by now.—
Mark Lazerus,
New York Times,
31 Oct. 2025
-
With a gun to the head of the Libyan ambassador, Tara bypasses her erstwhile father-figure Whelan to speak to Taverner, demanding £100 million in a Cayman Islands account and safe escort out of the country.—
Scott Tobias,
Vulture,
29 Oct. 2025
Adverb
-
People Magazine, spurning millions of sexy dead people, has once again chosen a Sexiest Man Alive.—
Choire Sicha,
CNN Money,
4 Nov. 2025
-
During the Colder Months Late August days were once bittersweet for me.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
4 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
Estimates based on a family with two 40-year-old parents with two children, 10 years and 5 years old.—
Berkeley Lovelace Jr,
NBC news,
31 Oct. 2025
-
So long as that situation continues, the 43-year-old’s allegedly arrogant and stand-offish treatment of his players will not worry the club hierarchy too much.—
Dermot Corrigan,
New York Times,
31 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Onetime.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/onetime. Accessed 7 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share