as in former
having been such at some previous time
the once child star is now a lawyer in the entertainment industry
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in when
just at the moment that
you should have stopped wrestling once you knew someone was getting hurt, not five minutes later
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of once
Issy Ronald, CNN Money, 23 July 2025
Kids once checked out were laughing and staying after class.
—Elan Gepner-Dales, Rolling Stone, 23 July 2025
Alana Al-Hatlani, Southern Living, 16 Jan. 2025
But Smith also had some choice words for the once and future president.
—Dave Goldiner, New York Daily News, 14 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for once
Adverb
Birmingham’s love for Osbourne was once again on show on Wednesday as fans turned the city’s famous Black Sabbath bench and mural into makeshift memorials for him.
—Issy Ronald, CNN Money, 23 July 2025
Kids once checked out were laughing and staying after class.
—Elan Gepner-Dales, Rolling Stone, 23 July 2025
Adjective
No amount of banging it against the counter will return it to its once supple, wet sand-like texture.
—Alana Al-Hatlani, Southern Living, 16 Jan. 2025
But Smith also had some choice words for the once and future president.
—Dave Goldiner, New York Daily News, 14 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for once
Recent Examples of Synonyms for once
Adverb
-
Jacobs works with a coach—formerly a professional athlete—who has shaped his thinking on leadership and life.—
Laura Begley Bloom,
Forbes.com,
15 July 2025
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Paul Krugman writes for Substack, formerly with The New York Times.—
Steve Inskeep,
NPR,
14 July 2025
Adjective
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Two incumbents, a former city councilwoman and five others make up a crowded list of candidates vying for at-large seats on the Detroit City Council in the primary.—
Nushrat Rahman,
Freep.com,
27 July 2025
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The trailer now shows Ashur, a former slave, struggling to be accepted by high society.—
Nick Romano,
EW.com,
27 July 2025
Adjective
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Finally, came from an unexpected source: the tiny, stone Presbyterian church that is one of the few surviving structures of the old Fort McDowell.—
Debra Utacia Krol,
AZCentral.com,
24 July 2025
-
Delaying tree harvests and protecting older forests enhances carbon sequestration, making untouched forests vital for reducing carbon dioxide and combating climate change.—
Caitlin Looby,
jsonline.com,
24 July 2025
Adjective
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Students in grades 6-12 are also allowed to have cell phones and other personal technology at school and are allowed to use them during lunch and in between classes.—
Rachel Wegner,
The Tennessean,
24 July 2025
-
His Fort McDowell Veterans Association uniform hung nearby along with other memorabilia of his Marine service, including a gourd hand-painted with the Marine logo.—
Debra Utacia Krol,
AZCentral.com,
24 July 2025
Adjective
-
Plain football bias by voting fans and the erstwhile Worldwide Leader in Sports.—
Greg Cote
July 20,
Miami Herald,
20 July 2025
-
The gateway to the French Riviera, the city has long been dismissed as a way station to smaller resort towns, the erstwhile stomping grounds of Matisse, Chagall, Baldwin, and Fitzgerald.—
Sloane Crosley,
Travel + Leisure,
15 July 2025
Adjective
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Best-selling royal author Sally Bedell Smith, who was friends with Anson, previously made similar claims based on their past conversations on her Substack, Royals Extra.—
Stephanie Nolasco , Ashley Papa,
FOXNews.com,
22 July 2025
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On the latest episode, which aired Monday night (July 21), Chantel — who officially joined the cast full-time this season — attempted for what felt like the umpteenth time to have a real conversation with her mother about their past issues.—
Amber Corrine,
VIBE.com,
22 July 2025
Adjective
-
Trump is suing the newspaper owned by his sometime supporter Rupert Murdoch.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
23 July 2025
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Warner recurred on the NBC comedy as Andre, sometime husband to Brown’s Shirley.—
Kimberly Roots,
TVLine,
21 July 2025
Adjective
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There’s also, of course, her divorce from singer-songwriter Jason Isbell, which was initiated in late 2023 and finalized earlier this year.—
Jonathan Bernstein,
Rolling Stone,
15 July 2025
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But according to the actor, late friend Quincy Jones always knew that more kids were in his future.—
Hannah Dailey,
Billboard,
15 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Once.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/once. Accessed 30 Jul. 2025.
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