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

While most businesses invest in AI, only 5% of generative AI projects deliver real returns, with many failing due to unclear business value. — Bernard Marr, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 2026

Atkinson made five saves, while Bay’s Jordan Silkowitz had just one, though Chicago was only outshot 14-13 overall. — Michael Nowels, Mercury News, 10 Aug. 2026

Adjective

For most of automotive history, the only way to buy a new vehicle was through a dealership. — Sean Tucker, AJC.com, 7 Aug. 2026

The order’s singling out of ibogaine, the only psychedelic mentioned by name, surprised analysts, given how much less research exists on it than on psilocybin or MDMA. — Michelle Lhooq, New Yorker, 7 Aug. 2026