as in except
not including
brought everything but the kitchen table to the campground
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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 but
Marilynne Robinson, The New York Review of Books, 27 May 2020
Nick has more power but Joey is a bit more nimble -- everything else is essentially equal.
—John Owning, Dallas News, 27 May 2020
Katherine Burns Olson, Architectural Digest, 4 Nov. 2024
Those who haven't but have sworn to it under the penalty of law are allowed to participate only in federal elections.
—Democrat-Gazette Staff From Wire Reports, arkansasonline.com, 2 Nov. 2024
Matthew Wynia, The Denver Post, 1 May 2017
Normally a chain moving here wouldn’t pique my interest too much, but this place has got some serious fans — called ‘
—Allyson Reedy, The Know, 24 Apr. 2017
See All Example Sentences for but
Preposition
These assumptions are in need of scrutiny, not by comparison with other countries but of this country with itself a few generations ago.
—Marilynne Robinson, The New York Review of Books, 27 May 2020
Nick has more power but Joey is a bit more nimble -- everything else is essentially equal.
—John Owning, Dallas News, 27 May 2020
Adverb
Consider the original 18-to-20-inch base moldings in the living room, an element the client had first fallen in love with but that were all but wiped out.
—Katherine Burns Olson, Architectural Digest, 4 Nov. 2024
Those who haven't but have sworn to it under the penalty of law are allowed to participate only in federal elections.
—Democrat-Gazette Staff From Wire Reports, arkansasonline.com, 2 Nov. 2024
Conjunction
But campus leaders like Chancellor Vincent Fulginiti and many community donors had a bigger vision.
—Matthew Wynia, The Denver Post, 1 May 2017
Normally a chain moving here wouldn’t pique my interest too much, but this place has got some serious fans — called ‘
—Allyson Reedy, The Know, 24 Apr. 2017
See All Example Sentences for but
Recent Examples of Synonyms for but
Preposition
-
At Dollywood’s DreamMore Resort, face masks are required in public areas, except when dining or swimming, capacity of public areas will be limited, and housekeeping and public area attendants will increase their cleaning procedures.—
Elizabeth Rhodes,
Travel + Leisure,
4 June 2020
-
The city advised all residents to stay inside except those going to and from work and anyone seeking or giving emergency care, according to Mayor Eric Garcetti's official Twitter account.—
NBC News,
NBC News,
1 June 2020
Adverb
-
Thompson is the state’s longest-serving governor (just over 14 years, from 1987 to 2001) and the only one to win four elections in a row.—
Craig Gilbert,
jsonline.com,
26 July 2025
-
Meanwhile, Lohan, who was 17 at the time and is now 39, was promoting Freaky Friday, which had just been released on DVD.—
Carson Blackwelder,
People.com,
26 July 2025
Adverb
-
Buxton gets a breather after an eventful week Byron Buxton was out of the lineup Sunday, but only because Baldelli wanted to give him a breather.—
Dan Hayes,
New York Times,
21 July 2025
-
The offer, which can be redeemed in-store or online, is only available through Sunday, July 20.—
Alexis Simmerman,
Austin American Statesman,
21 July 2025
Preposition
-
But his death had many contributing factors besides being unable to breath while face down on the ground.—
Kevin Grasha,
Cincinnati.com,
2 June 2020
-
The airline’s crew members and ground services personnel are undergoing detailed health check-ups at regular intervals, besides wearing protective gear at all times.—
Niharika Sharma,
Quartz India,
31 May 2020
Preposition
-
Interior designer Cortney Bishop arrived at an empty lot beside a cherished South Carolina home—a place where vacations felt longer because of large social gatherings that spilled outdoors and out beneath the sun and moon.—
Kelly Dawson,
Architectural Digest,
18 July 2025
-
The exhibition displays On the Operating Table beside an X-ray image of Munch’s hand—a new technology at the time—in which a bullet can be seen in his finger.—
Sonja Anderson,
Smithsonian Magazine,
18 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“But.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/but. Accessed 30 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share