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
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Recent Examples of only
Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 25 Apr. 2026
Perhaps the most impressive element of the exercise—beyond the meatballs, which really do live up to the hype—is that the pop-up only lasted one night.
—Justin Fenner, Robb Report, 25 Apr. 2026
Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 23 Apr. 2026
Miller was the only one among four Padres pitchers to not allow a run.
—Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for only
Adverb
This Foo Fighters show was only announced a few weeks ago and precede the band’s world tour.
—Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 25 Apr. 2026
Perhaps the most impressive element of the exercise—beyond the meatballs, which really do live up to the hype—is that the pop-up only lasted one night.
—Justin Fenner, Robb Report, 25 Apr. 2026
Adjective
This is not the only time the film has run into legal problems, either.
—Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 23 Apr. 2026
Miller was the only one among four Padres pitchers to not allow a run.
—Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for only
Recent Examples of Synonyms for only
Adverb
-
When the king talked about his Christian faith, GOP lawmakers were rowdier than Democrats, many of whom offered just tepid applause.—
Kathryn Palmer,
USA Today,
29 Apr. 2026
-
Then, not only that, just to be able to cash in, that’s like the next step there.—
Abbey Mastracco,
New York Daily News,
29 Apr. 2026
Adverb
-
Culinary trends come in waves, and lately French restaurants have been in vogue in San Diego County.—
Pam Kragen,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
24 Apr. 2026
-
Although the first 10 days of the season saw rough production, the group has been at a different level lately.—
Meghan Montemurro,
Chicago Tribune,
24 Apr. 2026
Adverb
-
Even with Portland’s 3-1 deficit against San Antonio, merely getting to the postseason was widely seen as a success for this group.—
Sam Amick,
New York Times,
27 Apr. 2026
-
However, the explosion was merely the beginning.—
Georgina Jedikovska,
Interesting Engineering,
26 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
This premise, bolstered by excellent performances all around, could easily have sustained a totally enjoyable TV show.—
Alexandra Schwartz,
New Yorker,
24 Apr. 2026
-
Both strikers demand attention from defenders but are excellent off-the-ball runners too.—
Anantaajith Raghuraman,
New York Times,
23 Apr. 2026
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
-
Attempting to close this gap solely by raising the gas tax would require a dramatic increase that is unlikely to be politically viable.—
Andrew Stasiowski,
Boston Herald,
24 Apr. 2026
-
All opinions expressed by the CNBC Pro contributors are solely their opinions and do not reflect the opinions of CNBC, or its parent company or affiliates, and may have been previously disseminated by them on television, radio, internet or another medium.—
Carter Braxton Worth,
CNBC,
24 Apr. 2026
Adverb
-
The Grammy winner, 31, who debuted late last month as Zidler in the Tony-winning adaptation of the 2001 musical film, will now be taking her final bow on Friday — less than a week after her post Saturday accusing 36-year-old Thompson of infidelity.—
Jami Ganz,
New York Daily News,
28 Apr. 2026
-
The Flyers would pull Vladar late in the third period to find a game-tying goal, but time would expire, giving the Penguins a 3-2 win.—
Garrett Behanna,
CBS News,
28 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Only.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/only. Accessed 30 Apr. 2026.
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