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
Houston Mitchell, Los Angeles Times, 15 July 2024
They were helmed on this night by the invaluable longtime wingman Mac McAnally, who handled lead vocals and emcee duties for a memorial service that felt like anything but.
—Kevin Jeffrey, SPIN, 12 Apr. 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
And on Sunday, in a 4-3 walk-off loss to the Detroit Tigers that sent the club into the All-Star break with a series defeat and losses in eight of their last 10 games, the Dodgers did anything but.
—Houston Mitchell, Los Angeles Times, 15 July 2024
They were helmed on this night by the invaluable longtime wingman Mac McAnally, who handled lead vocals and emcee duties for a memorial service that felt like anything but.
—Kevin Jeffrey, SPIN, 12 Apr. 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
-
Microsoft Office Professional 2021 is now available for just $59.97 (regularly $219) through February 23—a one-time payment for lifetime access with no subscriptions or recurring fees.—
StackCommerce Team (Sponsored),
PCMAG,
7 Feb. 2025
-
The Education Department is a relatively small government agency, with just over 4,000 employees and a US$268 billion annual budget.—
Alex Hinton,
The Conversation,
7 Feb. 2025
Adverb
-
Between 2021 and 2024, the average attendance at commission meetings was only nine members, less than the 10-person quorum required by statute.—
Vivian Jones,
The Tennessean,
3 Feb. 2025
-
At this point, there are likely only five teams left in the Bregman sweepstakes: the Astros, Toronto Blue Jays, Boston Red Sox, Chicago Cubs, and Detroit Tigers.—
David Faris,
Newsweek,
3 Feb. 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
-
The most gifted fashion choices are saved for Chloë Sevigny sitting beside Tim Heidecker as military talking heads who never bother to stand up from their chairs.—
Fran Hoepfner,
Vulture,
31 Jan. 2025
-
Accepting his golden Moonman with some of his children onstage beside him, Combs counted his blessings.—
Nancy Dillon,
Rolling Stone,
28 Jan. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near but
Cite this Entry
“But.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/but. Accessed 13 Feb. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share