1
as in just
for nothing other than
you're doing that only to annoy me
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
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
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of only
Scott Travis, Sun Sentinel, 24 May 2026
The Knicks, of course, can only play who’s in front of them.
—Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 24 May 2026
Samantha Conti, Footwear News, 28 May 2026
This is the online version of Adam’s Biotech Scorecard, a subscriber-only newsletter.
—Adam Feuerstein, STAT, 28 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for only
Adverb
In the past, the unions only needed a majority of whoever turned out for the election, and there was no minimum.
—Scott Travis, Sun Sentinel, 24 May 2026
The Knicks, of course, can only play who’s in front of them.
—Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 24 May 2026
Adjective
Monroe isn’t the only diva on Bonhams’ books.
—Samantha Conti, Footwear News, 28 May 2026
This is the online version of Adam’s Biotech Scorecard, a subscriber-only newsletter.
—Adam Feuerstein, STAT, 28 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for only
Recent Examples of Synonyms for only
Adverb
-
The starter allowed just two hits through his first two trips through the Glendora order.—
Justin Vigil Zuniga,
Daily News,
27 May 2026
-
Among the graves along the Somme are those of five young men who just happen to share the name Alfred Webb.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
27 May 2026
Adverb
-
Defensively, Durbin has been excellent, but offensively he’s ranked among the worst performers in the majors and has lately seen his playing time cut.—
Mac Cerullo,
Boston Herald,
30 May 2026
-
Most artists who’ve worked with the Swedish legend and his cohort lately have ended up in a similar musical ballpark.—
Craig Jenkins,
Vulture,
29 May 2026
Adverb
-
Small businesses, despite their economic impact, underutilize AI, treating it merely as a chat tool disconnected from core operations like QuickBooks or HubSpot.—
Jodie Cook,
Forbes.com,
24 May 2026
-
Of course, there is a lot of baseball left to play, and Cole understands the completion of his rehab is merely the beginning of his comeback.—
Gary Phillips,
New York Daily News,
23 May 2026
Adjective
-
Seb Stafford-Bloor’s excellent Transfer Tiers series is moving on to central defenders today.—
Phil Hay,
New York Times,
28 May 2026
-
The right-shot defenseman has had an excellent tournament for Finland, who advanced to the semifinals with a win over Czechia.—
Steve Conroy,
Boston Herald,
28 May 2026
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
Conjunction
-
But scientists and doctors say things aren’t that simple — and a belief that exposing children to marijuana, either directly or indirectly, is harmless isn’t supported by the facts.—
Daniel M. Jimenez,
The Cannifornian,
22 June 2017
-
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
Adverb
-
All opinions expressed by the CNBC Pro contributors are solely their opinions and do not reflect the opinions of CNBC, or its parent company or affiliates, and may have been previously disseminated by them on television, radio, internet or another medium.—
Jeff Kilburg,
CNBC,
29 May 2026
-
Today, rumors circulating on social media in the DRC include false claims that Ebola is not real, that humanitarian workers are descending on the area solely for their own profit and that aid groups are withholding the best care available.—
Gabrielle Emanuel,
NPR,
29 May 2026
Adverb
-
If the Packers keep just five corners, the final job is likely to come down to Jackson, a sixth round draft pick, and Hadden, who suffered a season-ending ankle injury late in the 2025 campaign.—
Rob Reischel,
Forbes.com,
26 May 2026
-
Those who show up late or not at all get removal orders, further truncating the already limited due process available to immigrants.—
Brittney Melton,
NPR,
26 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Only.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/only. Accessed 31 May. 2026.
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