only 1 of 3

adverb

Definition of onlynext
1
as in just
for nothing other than you're doing that only to annoy me

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in lately
not long ago we won the election only six days ago

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
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 How to pronounce only (audio)
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

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
An executive for an NBA team said rivals were quickly monitoring whether the Thunder’s position would change in light of how much their rotation had been depleted only a week into the season. — Andrew Greif, NBC news, 29 Oct. 2026 This follows an unusually quiet Atlantic hurricane season with only one named hurricane, Isaias, roiling the Florida panhandle. — Ava Berger, NPR, 29 Oct. 2026
Adjective
In response to the Budget’s omission, Weir highlighted that the UK remains the only major European market without this policy in place. — Joe Bobowicz, Vogue, 29 Oct. 2026 The last six dates on the tour, with stops at London’s Wembley Stadium and in Dublin and Glasgow, were the only ones previously announced prior to Thursday. — Chris Willman, Variety, 29 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for only
Recent Examples of Synonyms for only
  1. just
  2. lately
  3. merely
  4. excellent
  5. one
  6. but
  7. solely
  8. late
Adverb
  • The group of girls are just truly amazing and really fight for each other.
    — Alex Kushel, Sun Sentinel, 28 Oct. 2026
  • Reader poll shows opposition The latest debate comes just a week after the council approved raising its members’ annual salaries by nearly 74%, from $69,000 to $119,750, beginning with the next term.
    — Natalie Jones, Baltimore Sun, 28 Oct. 2026
Definition of just
Adverb
  • That hasn't been the trend lately, as Friday's slide in the stock market coincided with an aggressive sell-off in bonds, a trade largely driven by fears of escalating oil prices hitting both asset classes.
    — Jeff Cox, CNBC, 23 Oct. 2026
  • Ashley’s view Concerns about AI and technology have simmered under the surface of American campaign politics for years, but have never been a fully salient everyday issue for voters until lately.
    — Ashley Gold, semafor.com, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of lately
Adverb
  • In Boston, Rodrigues of the National Parents Union – a nonprofit advocacy and grassroots organization – objects to schools using devices merely to occupy students.
    — Dalia Faheid, CNN Money, 26 Oct. 2026
  • Anudike-Uzomah was merely a two-star recruit coming out of Lee’s Summit.
    — Sam McDowell, Kansas City Star, 25 Oct. 2026
Definition of merely
Adjective
  • His 28-yard touchdown reception from Sam Darnold late in the second quarter beat Delane, who had excellent position.
    — Blair Kerkhoff, Kansas City Star, 26 Oct. 2026
  • The biggest key for the Brewers in this game is to see if their bullpen can keep their excellent pitching alive.
    — OutKick, FOXNews.com, 26 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
  • However, this also means that Googlebooks are limited solely to running Android apps.
    — Joe Osborne, PC Magazine, 24 Oct. 2026
  • When comparing lenders, Miranda advises not to focus solely on the advertised interest rate.
    — Dan Avery, CNBC, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of solely
Adverb
  • Cocoa prices have dropped in the last year, but relief is coming too late to help prices for this Halloween, said David Branch, sector manager at Wells Fargo Agri-Food Institute.
    — Aoife Walsh, Washington Post, 27 Oct. 2026
  • The Wizards did cut the lead to 3 points late, but free throws and rebounding ultimately clinched the win for Charlotte, who improved to 3-1 on the season.
    — Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 27 Oct. 2026
Definition of late

Browse Nearby Words

onlookers
only
on no account
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Only.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/only. Accessed 30 Oct. 2026.

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