only 1 of 3

adverb

Definition of onlynext
1
as in just
for nothing other than you're doing that only to annoy me

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in lately
not long ago we won the election only six days ago

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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

ˈōn-lē How to pronounce only (audio)
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

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
Quantum internet removes that risk by ensuring only the sender and receiver can read a message, so not even the hosting platform can access it. — Kurt Knutsson, Cyberguy Report, FOXNews.com, 14 Apr. 2025 Ball played only 35 games of the regular season despite making an unprecedented return from a two-season absence following a rare knee cartilage transplant. — Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 14 Apr. 2025
Adjective
Beyond vaccines and immunization Even from its earliest days, vaccine-preventable and infectious diseases were far from the Epidemic Intelligence Service’s only focus. — Casey Luc, The Conversation, 14 Apr. 2025 This is especially true when tourism is the primary—or in some cases the only—economic driver. — Shoshi Parks, Smithsonian Magazine, 14 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for only
Recent Examples of Synonyms for only
  1. just
  2. lately
  3. merely
  4. excellent
  5. one
  6. but
  7. solely
  8. late
Adverb
  • That happened just seven minutes into the Chelsea game when William Saliba’s pass into midfield was cut out, forcing Lewis-Skelly and Partey into acting as makeshift centre-backs.
    — Jordan Campbell, The Athletic, 22 Mar. 2025
  • That's just the beginning of Natalia's story, though.
    — Randall Colburn, EW.com, 22 Mar. 2025
Definition of just
Adverb
  • Other celebrities that have been showing ankle with cropped hemlines lately include Holmes and Erin Napier.
    — Clint Davis, People.com, 16 Mar. 2025
  • Amazon is in a pretty good groove lately, with far fewer shows than Netflix, but a much higher batting average overall.
    — Paul Tassi, Forbes, 15 Mar. 2025
Definition of lately
Adverb
  • Rather than merely illustrating corporate omnipotence, Vara exposes the fragility of the technology itself: a nonhuman force that still depends on humanity—and is unable to encompass it.
    — Matteo Wong, The Atlantic, 10 Apr. 2025
  • The banking industry strongly opposed the Biden rule, which would cap overdraft fees at just $5 for banks and financial institutions with more than $10 billion in assets unless the institutions opt for a fee that merely covers their own costs or treat the overdraft payment as a loan.
    — Zach Halaschak, The Washington Examiner, 9 Apr. 2025
Definition of merely
Adjective
  • That is exactly what happened for Olivia Smith’s excellent opener as Marie Hobinger hit a defence-splitting pass in to Canada’s 20-year-old rising star.
    — Caoimhe O'Neill, New York Times, 13 Apr. 2025
  • Salah then surged forward towards the edge of the box before playing an excellent pass with the outside of his left boot.
    — Daniel Taylor, New York Times, 13 Apr. 2025
Definition of excellent
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
Definition of one
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
Definition of but
Adverb
  • Diversify This idea is very similar to freelancing, but takes it a step further: why not diversify your skill set and your revenue streams instead of depending solely on one or even two sources (your job and your freelance business)?
    — Rachel Wells, Forbes.com, 13 Apr. 2025
  • Blanketing our communities with descriptions that focus solely on crime is dishonest and hinders our efforts to achieve peace, especially those of us who have survived the unthinkable loss of a loved one to murder.
    — Clementina Chery, Boston Herald, 13 Apr. 2025
Definition of solely
Adverb
  • Colossal said two of the dire wolves were born late last year, while the third arrived in early 2025.
    — Mary Kekatos, ABC News, 11 Apr. 2025
  • This isn't the first time Monk has suffered a major injury late in the season.
    — Raja Krishnamoorthi, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Apr. 2025
Definition of late

Browse Nearby Words

onlookers
only
on no account
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Only.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/only. Accessed 20 Apr. 2025.

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