only 1 of 3

1
2
3
as in merely
nothing more than I was only fooling when I said I saw a shark in the water

Synonyms & Similar Words

only

2 of 3

adjective

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

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

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
Adverb
This collection not only showcases his exceptional skills as a composer and producer but also signifies a transformative phase in his evolving musical career. Ingrid Fajardo, Billboard, 14 Feb. 2025 Or does so only briefly in the ambiguous ending, when Sofia throws off the last vestiges of her passivity and forces her recalcitrant mother into a reckoning with her condition. David Rooney, The Hollywood Reporter, 14 Feb. 2025
Adjective
The appearance of two of Drake’s exes wasn’t the only highlight of the performance but certainly helped take the feud between the two mainstream, just as Lamar is set to go on tour alongside SZA. Lissete Lanuza Sáenz, StyleCaster, 11 Feb. 2025 Forward Chase Adams was the only player born in 2008 or younger to score nine goals during the 2024 campaign. Justin Gest, Newsweek, 11 Feb. 2025 See all Example Sentences for only 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for only
Adverb
  • Microsoft Office Professional 2021 is now available for just $59.97 (regularly $219) through February 23—a one-time payment for lifetime access with no subscriptions or recurring fees.
    StackCommerce Team (Sponsored), PCMAG, 7 Feb. 2025
  • The Education Department is a relatively small government agency, with just over 4,000 employees and a US$268 billion annual budget.
    Alex Hinton, The Conversation, 7 Feb. 2025
Adverb
  • On the other hand, Halsey’s smart, dense, often weird music has lately been overshadowed by the drama that continually dogs her.
    Stephen Deusner, SPIN, 17 Feb. 2025
  • The Pistons’ first five games after the break are tough, but their offense and defense have both been great lately.
    Zach Harper, The Athletic, 17 Feb. 2025
Adverb
  • Getting traded, per his request, seems a more realistic exit plan than three years ago, when a March trade request was merely a step toward a contract extension in training camp (three years, $72 million).
    Cam Inman, The Mercury News, 10 Feb. 2025
  • That’s well under market value for a guy who has 226 home runs and three 100-plus RBI seasons in his six years as a Met, and who merely hit the biggest home run of their 2024 season to eliminate Milwaukee and advance to an NLDS against the Phillies before reaching the NLCS against the Dodgers.
    Jim Alexander, Orange County Register, 7 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • With its affordable price, this coverlet is an excellent value for the quality.
    Rebecca Jones, Southern Living, 17 Feb. 2025
  • Lucas Bergvall and Dejan Kulusevski are excellent at carrying the ball and driving into space.
    Jay Harris, The Athletic, 17 Feb. 2025
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
  • The merchandise options were changed to solely offering the offensive design within an hour of the broadcast.
    DeMicia Inman, VIBE.com, 11 Feb. 2025
  • Sibyl is another stop; this industrial-style art gallery, with six-week exhibits, solely features emerging artists.
    Jenny Adams, AFAR Media, 11 Feb. 2025
Adverb
  • Weekly cases peaked at 577 late last year, before plummeting to less than 200 over the New Year's holiday.
    Alexander Tin, CBS News, 11 Feb. 2025
  • For Ghazi, 48, validation has seemingly been everywhere of late.
    Dan Rys, Billboard, 11 Feb. 2025

Thesaurus Entries Near only

Cite this Entry

“Only.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/only. Accessed 21 Feb. 2025.

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