ONLY Synonyms: 244 Similar and Opposite Words

only 1 of 3

adverb

Definition of only

as in just

for nothing other than you're doing that only to annoy me

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in lately

not long ago we won the election only six days ago

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

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

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

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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

Carleton was surprised by how many older adults were thrilled to join a trial that would guide not only their care, but the treatment of others going forward. — Allessandra Dicorato, STAT, 8 Oct. 2026 In that case, too, Erica and Peter not only lived nine months rent-free in the apartment until, as the case dragged on, a judge ordered them to start paying for use of the space, but Erica also criticized the conditions there. — Matthew Sedacca, Curbed, 8 Oct. 2026

Adjective

The White Sox, who lost 100 games in each of the last three seasons, are the only team in major league history to follow consecutive 100-loss seasons with a playoff berth. — Los Angeles Times, 1 Oct. 2026 The game will be the only one played Thursday, after the other three wild-card series all ended Wednesday — the Padres eliminated the Cubs; the White Sox ousted the Astros; and the Yankees swept the Red Sox. — Chad Bishop, AJC.com, 1 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for only

Recent Examples of Synonyms for only

Adverb

That is because Lula, Brazil’s current president and campaigning candidate, had been parading the centre of Rio just a few hundred meters away from the port.

— Rafa Sales Ross, Variety, 7 Oct. 2026
Kagan and Soai figured out, for the first time, a way to create just one of those mirror images.

— Adam Kovac, Scientific American, 7 Oct. 2026

Definition of just

Adverb

Ilya’s urging to slow down and observe the safety protocols merely result in Sam nudging him aside, along with Mira for a time.

— David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 6 Oct. 2026
Strategies that merely address discrete foreign influence campaigns will fail to meet the challenges presented by full-spectrum propaganda.

— RENÉE DIRESTA, Foreign Affairs, 5 Oct. 2026

Definition of merely

Adjective

There’s an excellent Anantara Spa and a state-of-the-art fitness center onsite, but the highlight of the property is its 60-foot-long oceanfront infinity pool, which overlooks the entire expanse of Stone Town beach.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026
Mikey Madison is excellent as a whistleblower driven by love, not spite.

— Jordan Moreau, Variety, 5 Oct. 2026

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 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
The tech firm didn’t pull that video down, but reached out to police.

— Queenie Wong, The Mercury News, 3 May 2017

Definition of but

Adverb

But when an event swells to the size of a city — the New York City Marathon had nearly 60,000 finishers last year — climate risk is no longer solely a personal matter.

— Vibhu Krishna, STAT, 2 Oct. 2026
During a separate appearance at the Bloomberg conference, RedBird Capital Partners founder Gerry Cardinale, a Paramount investor and board member, said finding $6 billion in cuts would be relatively easy, and would not be focused solely on layoffs.

— Meg James, Los Angeles Times, 2 Oct. 2026

Definition of solely

Cite this Entry

Style

“Only.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/only. Accessed 9 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of only

adverb

adjective

conjunction

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