Synonyms of only

only 1 of 3

adverb

1

as in just

for nothing other than

you're doing that only to annoy me

Synonyms & Similar Words

• just
• solely
• purely
• simply
• exclusively
• alone
• primarily
• mostly
• mainly
• basically
• generally
• largely
• principally
• substantially
• chiefly
• predominantly
• by and large

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• also
• likewise
• additionally
• besides

2

as in lately

not long ago

we won the election only six days ago

Synonyms & Similar Words

• lately
• late
• just
• newly
• recently
• now
• new
• freshly
• of late
• latterly

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• previously
• before
• early
• earlier
• ago
• formerly
• anciently
• heretofore
• hitherto
• erstwhile

3

as in merely

nothing more than

I was only fooling when I said I saw a shark in the water

Synonyms & Similar Words

• just
• merely
• simply
• purely
• but

only

2 of 3

adjective

ˈōn-lē 

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

• excellent
• exceptional
• extraordinary
• great
• uncommon
• beautiful
• unique
• wonderful
• out of sight
• unusual
• unmatched
• unparalleled
• immense
• superb
• rare
• incomparable
• unrivaled
• peerless
• unequaled
• unsurpassed
• matchless
• lovely
• unsurpassable
• inimitable
• divine
• alone
• unexampled
• heavenly
• fine
• marvelous
• special
• singular
• better
• stellar
• terrific
• nonpareil
• awesome
• choice
• superior
• famous
• fabulous
• keen
• prime
• fantastic
• preferred
• classic
• grand
• quality
• noble
• mean
• brave
• top
• gone
• sterling
• prize
• first-class
• superlative
• dandy
• splendid
• first-rate
• cracking
• wizard
• nifty
• neat
• swell
• frontline
• number one
• sensational
• capital
• par excellence
• fancy
• high-class
• banner
• boss
• peachy
• radical
• out-of-sight
• A1
• dope
• brag
• righteous
• bully
• primo
• hot
• groovy
• supernal
• down
• top-notch
• dynamite
• cool
• bumper
• gangbusters
• A-OK
• hype
• first-string
• high-grade
• peachy keen
• numero uno
• fab
• fantabulous
• tip-top
• crackerjack
• corking
• blue-chip
• jim-dandy
• boffo
• prizewinning
• bang-up
• bonny
• five-star
• phat

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• common
• normal
• usual
• ordinary
• frequent
• familiar
• lesser
• worse
• worst
• everyday
• commonplace
• routine
• ubiquitous
• lower
• garden
• poor
• inferior
• bad
• low
• off
• ill
• wanting
• unacceptable
• paltry
• unsatisfactory
• deficient
• lousy
• bastard
• lame
• substandard
• depressed
• household
• bush
• terrible
• low-grade
• mediocre
• awful
• second-class
• pathetic
• dissatisfactory
• wretched
• atrocious
• punk
• vile
• rotten
• bush-league
• execrable
• second-rate

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

• one
• lone
• special
• unique
• sole
• single
• alone
• solitary
• singular
• sui generis
• distinctive
• distinct
• one-off
• unaccompanied
• unparalleled
• unattended
• incomparable
• solo
• unrivaled
• peerless
• unequaled
• separate
• matchless
• unsurpassable
• unmatched
• inimitable
• individual
• unsurpassed
• nonce

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• myriad
• mixed
• varied
• multifarious
• manifold
• miscellaneous
• prevalent
• popular
• assorted
• promiscuous
• prevailing
• rampant
• heterogenous
• divers
• perennial
• recurrent
• repeated
• patchwork
• motley

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

• but
• except
• yet
• saving

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of only

Adverb

The fact that Fosse is only growing in stature doesn’t hurt either. — Marta Balaga, Variety, 24 Aug. 2026

Some, like the Padres, only go on the block when their owner passes away. — Chris Isidore, CNN Money, 24 Aug. 2026

Adjective

The threat of secondary sanctions has raised questions about how that will affect China, which buys Iranian oil and which was the only country Bessent mentioned by name. — Npr Staff, NPR, 21 Aug. 2026

Booking through this system is the only mechanism that guarantees a transit date for vessels. — Glenn Taylor, Footwear News, 21 Aug. 2026