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
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Recent Examples of only
Ryan Ford, Freep.com, 6 Oct. 2025
Kincaid was a consistent thorn in the Patriots’ side, putting together a six-catch, 108-yard effort while only playing on fewer than 60 percent of the team’s offensive snaps.
—The Athletic Nfl Staff, New York Times, 6 Oct. 2025
Maureen Lee Lenker, Entertainment Weekly, 29 Sep. 2025
Reid’s only tie in his 27 years as a head coach came in 2008 (Eagles 13, Bengals 13).
—Pete Sweeney, Kansas City Star, 29 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for only
Adverb
Just getting to 1-1 felt like a tremendous upset, considering that only a two-out, two-strike home run from Kerry Carpenter had kept the Tigers from a 2-0 deficit in the best-of-five series.
—Ryan Ford, Freep.com, 6 Oct. 2025
Kincaid was a consistent thorn in the Patriots’ side, putting together a six-catch, 108-yard effort while only playing on fewer than 60 percent of the team’s offensive snaps.
—The Athletic Nfl Staff, New York Times, 6 Oct. 2025
Adjective
Busfield was the only member of the ensemble to be nominated at the Emmys for all four years, winning Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series for the final season.
—Maureen Lee Lenker, Entertainment Weekly, 29 Sep. 2025
Reid’s only tie in his 27 years as a head coach came in 2008 (Eagles 13, Bengals 13).
—Pete Sweeney, Kansas City Star, 29 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for only
Recent Examples of Synonyms for only
Adverb
-
After hours, a barista will usher you into Say Less Speakeasy, a lofty bar and lounge hidden behind an unassuming bookshelf just past the café register.—
Lyndsay C. Green,
Freep.com,
3 Oct. 2025
-
Other parts of the country are nearing their peak, like northeastern Washington, central Oregon, eastern Montana, most of North Dakota, just over half of Michigan, as well as a large portion of Upstate New York.—
Saleen Martin,
USA Today,
3 Oct. 2025
Adverb
-
This sensation is intensified because your coworking relationships have been so good lately!—
USA TODAY,
USA Today,
5 Oct. 2025
-
But while Swift is on the receiving end of praise on Minaj’s X profile, the other music star the rapper has been posting about lately couldn’t be farther from it.—
Hannah Dailey,
Billboard,
3 Oct. 2025
Adverb
-
In the end, the subterfuge with Priester served merely as a subplot.—
Andy McCullough,
New York Times,
7 Oct. 2025
-
But premature calls for a ceasefire or rash recognitions of statehood merely soothe consciences, while signaling to jihadists and authoritarian powers that the West need only be outlasted.—
Aviva Klompas,
MSNBC Newsweek,
7 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Bader was excellent early Saturday, notching a sacrifice fly to drive in Realmuto and hustling to right-center for a diving catch in the fifth.—
Charlotte Varnes,
New York Times,
5 Oct. 2025
-
Both are excellent places for birding, boating, fishing, hiking, and finding a little peace and quiet.—
Lisa Cericola,
Southern Living,
4 Oct. 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
-
So, while firing a worker solely for a statement or a belief may be shortsighted, companies can and will take action when employee behavior erodes trust, respect, or collaboration.—
Johnny C. Taylor Jr,
USA Today,
7 Oct. 2025
-
Their 7-3 win over the Cubs in Game 2 of the other NLDS matchup was powered solely by three monster home runs.—
Chris Branch,
New York Times,
7 Oct. 2025
Adverb
-
At a press conference announcing his appointment, Johnson said Procell did not apply for the role and his name came late in the process.—
David Clarey,
jsonline.com,
3 Oct. 2025
-
The Cebu quake also happened after a tropical storm late last week battered Cebu and other provinces in the country’s central region.—
Chad de Guzman,
Time,
2 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Only.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/only. Accessed 9 Oct. 2025.
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