1
as in just
for nothing other than
you're doing that only to annoy me
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
1
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
2
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
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of only
Kurt Badenhausen, Sportico.com, 13 Aug. 2025
On Frontline, Wallen isn’t behind the only newer songs making waves.
—Kevin Rutherford, Billboard, 13 Aug. 2025
Jonathan Bernstein, Rolling Stone, 12 Aug. 2025
Gone are the days when a singular college women’s basketball game is relegated to the sad TV in the corner at the only bar in town streaming the match.
—Emily Bloch, Bon Appetit Magazine, 12 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for only
Adverb
There have been only three NFL team sales in the past 10 years: the Washington Commanders (2023), Denver Broncos (2022) and Carolina Panthers (2018).
—Kurt Badenhausen, Sportico.com, 13 Aug. 2025
On Frontline, Wallen isn’t behind the only newer songs making waves.
—Kevin Rutherford, Billboard, 13 Aug. 2025
Adjective
The only problem is that the house is so expensive that the listing agent of the mansion insists on being there for the viewing.
—Jonathan Bernstein, Rolling Stone, 12 Aug. 2025
Gone are the days when a singular college women’s basketball game is relegated to the sad TV in the corner at the only bar in town streaming the match.
—Emily Bloch, Bon Appetit Magazine, 12 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for only
Recent Examples of Synonyms for only
Adverb
-
Fox, who just completed graduate school, decided to dedicate part of a month-long break to searching for a diamond.—
Arkansas State Parks,
Arkansas Online,
19 Aug. 2025
-
President Donald Trump had just spent several hours in meetings with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and seven other leaders from Europe who had come along in a frantic effort to shore up U.S. support for the Ukrainian position.—
Simon Shuster,
Time,
19 Aug. 2025
Adverb
-
The same tactic allowed Dodgers relievers, who’d been combustible lately, to close it out.—
Tom Krasovic,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
17 Aug. 2025
-
Inefficiency has been a constant problem for Kikuchi lately.—
Jeff Fletcher,
Oc Register,
16 Aug. 2025
Adverb
-
The show explores the power of materiality in contemporary Detroit art — from scorching to slick, raw to soft — inviting viewers to feel rather than merely observe.—
Duante Beddingfield,
Freep.com,
7 Aug. 2025
-
Consistent attendance over several weeks demonstrates your commitment to involvement, rather than merely padding your resume.—
Sarah Hernholm,
Forbes.com,
7 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
And its large, thin leaves do provide excellent material to us as mulch or in a compost pile.—
Joshua Siskin,
Oc Register,
16 Aug. 2025
-
Compensation of a sort came as the excellent form continued in the league.—
Andy Mitten,
New York Times,
16 Aug. 2025
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
Conjunction
-
But scientists and doctors say things aren’t that simple — and a belief that exposing children to marijuana, either directly or indirectly, is harmless isn’t supported by the facts.—
Daniel M. Jimenez,
The Cannifornian,
22 June 2017
-
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
Adverb
-
As Fanatics expanded beyond its licensed merchandise roots, company executives noticed an encouraging trend: customers that utilize multiple Fanatics verticals typically spend three-to-four times more with the company than those that buy just apparel or collectibles, or those that solely gamble.—
Eben Novy-Williams,
Sportico.com,
12 Aug. 2025
-
All opinions expressed by the CNBC Pro contributors are solely their opinions and do not reflect the opinions of CNBC, NBC UNIVERSAL, their parent company or affiliates, and may have been previously disseminated by them on television, radio, internet or another medium.—
Katie Stockton,
CNBC,
11 Aug. 2025
Adverb
-
Clashes at the Thai-Cambodian border late last month marked the second conflict to erupt on China's doorstep this year, following the brief air war between ally Pakistan and India over contested Kashmir.—
Micah McCartney,
MSNBC Newsweek,
8 Aug. 2025
-
Goldman announced a private credit product for retirement plans late last month.—
Morgan Chittum,
CNBC,
8 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Only.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/only. Accessed 21 Aug. 2025.
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