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
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Recent Examples of only
Tim Lammers, Forbes.com, 6 June 2026
Before long, the great invasion of France that began on June 6, 1944—and the Second World War itself—will be recounted only in documentaries and books alongside other historic conflicts such as the First World War and the American Civil War.
—Kevin Maurer, The Atlantic, 6 June 2026
Brady Brickner-Wood, New Yorker, 4 June 2026
The only requirement to stand-up is — TORRES Time.
—Lacey Rose, HollywoodReporter, 4 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for only
Adverb
Now, six years after the film’s triumph at the global box office and the Oscars, Michael is not only steadily approaching Bohemian Rhapsody’s record box office take, the actor who plays Michael Jackson — his nephew Jaafar — is arguably already a contender for a Best Actor Oscar.
—Tim Lammers, Forbes.com, 6 June 2026
Before long, the great invasion of France that began on June 6, 1944—and the Second World War itself—will be recounted only in documentaries and books alongside other historic conflicts such as the First World War and the American Civil War.
—Kevin Maurer, The Atlantic, 6 June 2026
Adjective
Sub-six-footers aren’t the only ones who exaggerate their height, though.
—Brady Brickner-Wood, New Yorker, 4 June 2026
The only requirement to stand-up is — TORRES Time.
—Lacey Rose, HollywoodReporter, 4 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for only
Recent Examples of Synonyms for only
Adverb
-
With such popular attractions as Little Island, the Whitney, the Highline, and designer shopping just blocks away, the hotel is ideal for those who want to get out and explore—but still want to have lots of fun options to come back to.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
10 June 2026
-
And that's important not just because movie theaters are communal spaces where audiences are, at least ostensibly, forced to put down their phones and other distractions.—
Ian Miller OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
10 June 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
-
Governor Barr is right — and the constellation of risks now accumulating in the banking sector makes his warnings not merely prudent but essential.—
Mayra Rodriguez Valladares,
Forbes.com,
6 June 2026
-
But Rich and John maintain that what we normies might perceive as pure hate is merely Fuentes trolling, using humor as transgression.—
Donie O'Sullivan,
CNN Money,
6 June 2026
Adjective
-
There are beautiful lake-side beaches and excellent trout fishing.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
4 June 2026
-
The jury, under the excellent presidency of Park Chan-wook, who was both generous and confident, had extremely varied and highly democratic debates.—
Elsa Keslassy,
Variety,
4 June 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
-
Wembanyama, the 7-foot-4 Frenchman whose turnover late in Game 2 ended the Spurs’ hopes, didn’t make many mistakes Monday.—
Brian Mahoney,
Los Angeles Times,
9 June 2026
-
Wembanyama, whose turnover late in Game 2 cost the Spurs dearly, didn’t make many mistakes Monday.—
Brian Mahoney,
Chicago Tribune,
9 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Only.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/only. Accessed 12 Jun. 2026.
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