1
as in just
for nothing other than
you're doing that only to annoy me
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
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
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
Rania Abouzeid, New Yorker, 2 June 2025
Overall, Mercedes only scored 18 points in those three weeks, all of which came via Russell, and now, Ferrari has passed it for second in the constructors standings.
—Madeline Coleman, New York Times, 2 June 2025
Glenn Adamson, Artforum, 1 June 2025
The only way in was through the resale market, where just hours before first pitch on Friday, the lowest price (fees and taxes included) for a pair of tickets on StubHub was $209.52.
—Anthony De Leon, Los Angeles Times, 1 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for only
Adverb
The European Union supplies only nonlethal equipment.
—Rania Abouzeid, New Yorker, 2 June 2025
Overall, Mercedes only scored 18 points in those three weeks, all of which came via Russell, and now, Ferrari has passed it for second in the constructors standings.
—Madeline Coleman, New York Times, 2 June 2025
Adjective
First, as Jencks never tired of pointing out, pluralism is the only true majority politics.
—Glenn Adamson, Artforum, 1 June 2025
The only way in was through the resale market, where just hours before first pitch on Friday, the lowest price (fees and taxes included) for a pair of tickets on StubHub was $209.52.
—Anthony De Leon, Los Angeles Times, 1 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for only
Recent Examples of Synonyms for only
Adverb
-
Keep scrolling to check out my 10 go-to beach essentials, with prices starting at just $9.—
Toni Sutton,
People.com,
7 June 2025
-
Beutel, a computer engineer specializing in mountain monitoring, had just witnessed a glacier collapse.—
Laura Paddison,
CNN Money,
7 June 2025
Adverb
-
While Offset felt the need to speak up in this instance, Cardi B has been the more vocal of the two exes lately, venting her frustrations with Offset via various X Spaces chats.—
Jessica Bennett,
VIBE.com,
5 June 2025
-
While Trump has all the power of the American presidency, including 24/7 access to the world’s media, Musk has some advantages in this war of words too: A much bigger social media footprint than Trump and, lately, a willingness to play dirtier than the president.—
Brian Stelter,
CNN Money,
5 June 2025
Adverb
-
The network also has denied that the 60 Minutes edits were deceptive and merely made for time constraints, noting that the first part of Harris’ answer was shown on the Face the Nation preview and the second for the show’s broadcast.—
Ted Johnson,
Deadline,
29 May 2025
-
Six were merely passengers in another person’s vehicle.—
Hannah Critchfield,
Sun Sentinel,
29 May 2025
Adjective
-
Robin will make an excellent addition to our great Kentucky State Senate Majority!—
Mandy Taheri,
MSNBC Newsweek,
5 June 2025
-
Greenery also makes an excellent addition to a resortcore space.—
Cori Sears,
Better Homes & Gardens,
5 June 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
-
With an Apple account solely dedicated to your Apple TV box and Apple TV hardware and software tracking disabled as much as possible, Apple would have minimal data to ascribe to you as an Apple TV owner.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
1 June 2025
-
But the problem is the quality of education that the students receive, when they are rushed through the pipeline, with no time to focus on themselves, solely concentrated on productivity and employability, to pay back their debt.—
Letters to the Editor,
Hartford Courant,
1 June 2025
Adverb
-
The Pacers trailed by double-digits from late in the second quarter onward.—
Tony East,
Forbes.com,
31 May 2025
-
While Buffalo already has an elite roster capable of competing for a championship, the team is now being urged to consider making a major move late in NFL free agency.—
Evan Massey,
MSNBC Newsweek,
31 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Only.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/only. Accessed 10 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share