ONLY Synonyms: 244 Similar and Opposite Words

only 1 of 3

adverb

Definition of only

as in just

for nothing other than you're doing that only to annoy me

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in lately

not long ago we won the election only six days ago

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in merely

nothing more than I was only fooling when I said I saw a shark in the water

Synonyms & Similar Words

only

2 of 3

adjective

ˈōn-lē

as in excellent

having no equal or rival for excellence or desirability the only way to really appreciate the beauty of the forest is to walk through it

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in one

being the one or ones of a class with no other members that is the only possible right answer we were the only passengers on the tour bus

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

only

3 of 3

conjunction

as in but

if it were not for the fact that that's a very nice idea, only it won't help

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 only

Adverb

The president downplayed the criticism within his party over the agreement, which would supply the United States and global marketplaces with diesel equivalent to only a little more than one day of global demand. — Ramsey Touchberry, The Washington Examiner, 15 Oct. 2026 China’s notoriously difficult National Unified Legal Professional Qualification Examination can be taken only by Chinese citizens. — Jill Colvin, Los Angeles Times, 15 Oct. 2026

Adjective

The film stars Christine Hakim as a widow forced to marry off her only daughter to clear her late husband’s gambling debts. — Liz Shackleton, Deadline, 15 Oct. 2026 The fatal wound was not the only injury the hominin sustained. — Katie Hunt, CNN Money, 15 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for only

Recent Examples of Synonyms for only

Adverb

The questions came after Zacharia made a brief debut to the media on Tuesday, taking just three questions from reporters after reading off a script.

— Michael Birnbaum The Washington Post, Arkansas Online, 14 Oct. 2026
Genetic comparisons revealed that deep-sea viral communities in the region are almost entirely unique, with just 4 percent of their protein clusters matching global databases.

— Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of just

Adverb

So language modeling seems to be merely a powerful component of human cognition, not its equivalent or source.

— Quanta Magazine, Quanta Magazine, 12 Oct. 2026
Other Mommy’s poor reviews did not deter the public, who merely wanted to see Jessica Chastain make that weird face some more.

— Bethy Squires, Vulture, 11 Oct. 2026

Definition of merely

Adjective

Her shoes are already a favorite among industry insiders for their sleek appeal and excellent construction.

— Sandra Salibian, Footwear News, 13 Oct. 2026
In late September, the concept was thrust back into the public consciousness thanks to a Variety interview with actor Jack Innanen, who plays the Canadian himbo Paul Baker on the excellent sitcom Adults.

— Chris Murphy, Vanity Fair, 12 Oct. 2026

Definition of excellent

Adjective

Drinkwater didn't make one appearance in a Chelsea shirt last season, whilst Bakayoko spent the season in Italy on loan at AC Milan.

— SI.com, SI.com, 3 Aug. 2019
Decisions made by engineers today, in other words, will determine not how one car drives but how all cars drive.

— Johannes Himmelreich, BostonGlobe.com, 30 Mar. 2018

Definition of one

Conjunction

But with a full and volatile season behind them, the two have grown closer, prompting check-ins from Bradford last month, seeking tidbits from his coach who watched OTA practices on a tablet from his Kentucky retreat.

— Chad Graff, Twin Cities, 15 June 2017
The tech firm didn’t pull that video down, but reached out to police.

— Queenie Wong, The Mercury News, 3 May 2017

Definition of but

Adverb

Rather than relying solely on better control software, the team is investigating whether designing the robot’s mass, inertia, and force characteristics differently can make complex movements easier to achieve.

— Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 10 Oct. 2026
Firms do not apply or pay to be considered, and inclusion and ranking are based solely on the list's methodology.

— Kate Dore, CFP®, EA,Kelli Grant, CFP®, CNBC, 8 Oct. 2026

Definition of solely

Adverb

But when Regan and his union, SEIU-United Healthcare Workers West, called the academics sometime late last summer, suggesting a ballot measure that couldn’t be vetoed by the governor, the academics saw a new opening.

— Ben Paviour, Sacbee.com, 12 Oct. 2026
But Jesse Minter took Tyler Huntley into Atlanta and came away with an overtime win, even after the Ravens looked headed for a loss late in the fourth quarter.

— Dan Zaksheske OutKick, FOXNews.com, 12 Oct. 2026

Definition of late

Cite this Entry

Style

“Only.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/only. Accessed 16 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of only

adverb

adjective

conjunction

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

zenith

Popular in Grammar & Usage

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

The Exceptions of '-s' and '-es' Plurals

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Popular in Wordplay

16 Food Words Recently Added to the Dictionary

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

7 Words for Bad Endings and Rough Situations

The Words of the Week - Oct. 16

Popular

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

16 Food Words Recently Added to the Dictionary

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

Games & Quizzes