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

Examples 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
In the trials where the foliage was not changed, only 25 percent of the new birds tried the resident solution on the first attempt, even when the locals were getting better food. Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 14 Nov. 2024 The girls are locked up with male inmates who are only too happy to harass and intimidate them and can only count on each other to make it through the days. Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 14 Nov. 2024
Adjective
The Sharks roster has almost been completely overhauled since then, with only team captain Logan Couture and defensemen Marc-Edouard Vlasic and Mario Ferraro still left from that 2019-2020 season. Curtis Pashelka, The Mercury News, 13 Nov. 2024 The only catch is that scientists would have to use Amazon’s Trainium chip in their studies. Melvin Backman, Quartz, 13 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for only 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for only
Adverb
  • To name just one example: After an opening act filled with lurid cartel violence, Emilia Pérez gives us a comic number about gender-reassignment surgery.
    Nate Jones, Vulture, 9 Nov. 2024
  • While climate denial allows people to protect themselves from feelings of distress, terror management theory suggests that denying death is just the tip of the iceberg.
    Discover Magazine, Discover Magazine, 8 Nov. 2024
Adverb
  • Food safety concerns have been a prominent issue lately.
    Melvin Backman, Quartz, 14 Nov. 2024
  • He’s been hanging out with Louis a lot lately, apparently in desperate need of an emotional outlet during the stress of the adoption process.
    Ben Rosenstock, Vulture, 13 Nov. 2024
Adverb
  • The August rally was merely a blip in an otherwise dramatic depreciation of the currency since 2012.
    Steven Desmyter, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2024
  • Instead of merely serving as a role-player on the right, Kirk now leverages his influence to bend conservatism closer to his own vision.
    Ali Breland, The Atlantic, 5 Nov. 2024
Adjective
  • The Beats Studio Pro headphones deliver premium sound quality, excellent noise cancellation, and a sleek, durable design.
    Juhi Wadia, PCMAG, 16 Nov. 2024
  • Later in the day, someone older or more experienced might have excellent advice for you.
    Georgia Nicols, The Denver Post, 14 Nov. 2024
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
  • Research and development expenses were eliminated following a business model shift to focus solely on manufacturing for Medtronic, compared to $2.8 million in the previous year.
    Quartz Bot, Quartz, 14 Nov. 2024
  • All opinions expressed by the CNBC Pro contributors are solely their opinions and do not reflect the opinions of CNBC, NBC UNIVERSAL, their parent company or affiliates, and may have been previously disseminated by them on television, radio, internet or another medium.
    Nishant Pant, CNBC, 5 Nov. 2024
Adverb
  • With Davis absent for the final 17-plus minutes, LeBron James dialed up his intensity in the latter stages of the third quarter and early in the fourth, helping the Lakers turn a five-point deficit late in the third (77-72) into a double-digit (103-89) early in the fourth.
    Khobi Price, Orange County Register, 10 Nov. 2024
  • The extended conversation caused Trump to arrive hours late to his campaign rally in Traverse City, Michigan, though his supporters praised his stamina and work ethic for making the journey between campaign stops.
    Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2024

Thesaurus Entries Near only

Cite this Entry

“Only.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/only. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.

More from Merriam-Webster on only

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!