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

Bono, on the other hand, believed their message could only achieve its highest goal when heard by as many people as possible. — Sam Sodomsky, Pitchfork, 12 Nov. 2026

The Chargers’ only move at the NFL trade deadline has been called off. — Senior Editor, Los Angeles Times, 12 Nov. 2026

Adjective

The only other seats that went from blue to red are Texas' 32nd congressional district and Tennessee' 9th congressional district, but both of those flips were enabled by redistricting efforts that made the electorates far more conservative. — Arkansas Online, 13 Nov. 2026

The available roster spot wasn’t the only reason Avila zeroed in on TCU, as Dixon’s track record of developing big men like Edmonds stood out. — Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 13 Nov. 2026