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

The students are presumed to have been killed, but only bone fragments of three of them have ever been identified. — Harriet Marsden, TheWeek, 17 Aug. 2026

The biggest mistake parents make is adding dates to the calendar month-by-month, only to realize too late that a random Tuesday half-day has totally wrecked their work schedule. — Lauren Brown West-Rosenthal, Parents, 16 Aug. 2026

Adjective

One of its key functions has been for healing, often employing a complex knowledge of medicinal plants and in many cases providing the only medical services available within African American communities. — Encyclopedia Britannica, 14 Aug. 2026

During the February announcement, investigators said Turner's DNA was the only DNA recovered from the trigger guard of the gun, her hands tested positive for gunshot residue and her husband's did not. — Zachary Bynum, CBS News, 14 Aug. 2026