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.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of only
Krista Kafer, Denver Post, 25 Jan. 2026
Until 1946, most citizens seeking compensation for a negligent or wrongful act by a civil servant could get it only through a literal act of Congress, case by case.
—Andy Rose, CNN Money, 25 Jan. 2026
Paul Rogers, Mercury News, 29 Jan. 2026
Of course, a drop in estrogen isn’t the only factor to affect postpartum skin health.
—Alex Vance, Parents, 29 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for only
Adverb
Historically America’s lawmakers addressed the human and environmental impacts of the Industrial Revolution’s transformational technology only after rivers ran with toxic chemicals and mistreated workers picketed.
—Krista Kafer, Denver Post, 25 Jan. 2026
Until 1946, most citizens seeking compensation for a negligent or wrongful act by a civil servant could get it only through a literal act of Congress, case by case.
—Andy Rose, CNN Money, 25 Jan. 2026
Adjective
That area contains 15 active oil wells — the only ones in Santa Clara County.
—Paul Rogers, Mercury News, 29 Jan. 2026
Of course, a drop in estrogen isn’t the only factor to affect postpartum skin health.
—Alex Vance, Parents, 29 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for only
Recent Examples of Synonyms for only
Adverb
-
The concepts haven’t changed, just the names.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
28 Jan. 2026
-
The yen touched its strongest level since October in US trading Tuesday after comments from Japanese officials, including just recently the finance minister, fueled speculation that the government may intervene in the market to prevent the currency from resuming its decline.—
Mia Glass,
Bloomberg,
28 Jan. 2026
Adverb
-
Blowing double-digit leads has been a habit with the Clippers (20-24) lately, and in Lue’s case over the past six seasons.—
Janis Carr,
Oc Register,
23 Jan. 2026
-
This is a very trendy comparison lately, for obvious reasons — AI looks like a bubble the way internet companies were a bubble, wide-leg jeans are in, and Gwyneth Paltrow seems to be everywhere.—
Allison Morrow,
CNN Money,
23 Jan. 2026
Adverb
-
At West Ham, Nuno has aligned himself with a club where the problems run so much deeper than merely trying to prevent the chilly fingers of relegation from closing round their neck.—
Daniel Taylor,
New York Times,
7 Jan. 2026
-
But Huddleston disagreed, saying the charter governs spending money but doesn’t apply to merely appropriating it.—
Don Stacom,
Hartford Courant,
7 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
The German is an excellent all-round forward who excels in bringing the best out of the teammates around him.—
Graham Ruthven,
Forbes.com,
29 Jan. 2026
-
While not every product in the brand’s SOS collection includes hypochlorous acid (an excellent anti-acneic ingredient), the serum does.—
Kiana Murden,
Vogue,
29 Jan. 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
-
Earnings Growth Is Fueling the Positive Change The shift in sentiment towards Dell was not solely due to revenue — it was largely influenced by earnings.—
Trefis Team,
Forbes.com,
23 Jan. 2026
-
Long Intel and own this spread 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,
23 Jan. 2026
Adverb
-
Kim all but disappeared from public view, until the president declared martial law late one Tuesday night in December 2023, launching the nation – and the couple – into a far bigger crisis.—
Jessie Yeung,
CNN Money,
28 Jan. 2026
-
The committee is currently reviewing feedback from the public comment phase, which ended late last year.—
Ana Castelain,
Bloomberg,
28 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Only.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/only. Accessed 30 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
