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
• uncommon
• great
• unique
• beautiful
• wonderful
• out of sight
• unusual
• superb
• immense
• rare
• unmatched
• unparalleled
• incomparable
• unrivaled
• lovely
• peerless
• unequaled
• unsurpassed
• matchless
• unsurpassable
• divine
• inimitable
• alone
• heavenly
• unexampled
• marvelous
• fine
• special
• singular
• stellar
• better
• terrific
• nonpareil
• awesome
• choice
• superior
• fabulous
• famous
• keen
• fantastic
• prime
• classic
• grand
• preferred
• quality
• noble
• mean
• brave
• sterling
• top
• gone
• prize
• first-class
• superlative
• dandy
• splendid
• cracking
• wizard
• first-rate
• nifty
• neat
• capital
• sensational
• swell
• frontline
• number one
• par excellence
• fancy
• high-class
• banner
• boss
• peachy
• radical
• out-of-sight
• A1
• hot
• dope
• brag
• righteous
• primo
• bully
• groovy
• dynamite
• supernal
• down
• top-notch
• 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

But Torrence continues to gig with his group the Surf City All-Stars, but only sporadically. — Andy Greene, Rolling Stone, 19 July 2026

Three golf courses are set along a former stone quarry, and open only to guests. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 19 July 2026

Adjective

One of the kidnappers, Rodrigo (Humberto Busto), decides that the only way to escape getting caught is to kill Felipe. — Emily Blackwood, PEOPLE, 17 July 2026

Prior to last year’s vote, Jackson County was the only charter county in Missouri that appointed its assessor rather than holding an election for the role. — Ilana Arougheti, Kansas City Star, 17 July 2026