ON Synonyms: 117 Similar and Opposite Words

on 1 of 3

preposition

ˈȯn

Definition of on next

as in toward

having to do with books on sports heroes are my favorite reading matter

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

as in against

in or into contact with don't lean on that ladder—you'll knock it over

Synonyms & Similar Words

2 of 3

adverb

as in forward

toward a point ahead in space or time we really must move on now if we're going to end this meeting before midnight

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

backward

as in along

toward or at a point lying in advance in space or time he's getting on in years and doesn't see or hear as well as he used to

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

3 of 3

adjective

as in operating

being in effective operation please don't leave the sanding machine on if you're not going to be near it

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 on

Preposition

But in their daring escape through the window, the crown of Empress Eugénie slipped from their grasp and was left battered on the pavement below. —

Laura Sharman, CNN Money, 6 Feb. 2026 Hulu has been operating on an old tech platform from before Disney took over the former joint venture that was plagued with glitches during the live Oscar telecast last year. —

Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 3 Feb. 2026 Some are experimenting with recommendation engines that suggest products based on prior purchases. —

Aisha Alves, Rolling Stone, 3 Feb. 2026 Three of the other four finalists for the award last year are back on the 2026 midseason top 10: Vanderbilt’s Mikayla Blakes, LSU’s Flau’jae Johnson and South Carolina’s Ta’Niya Latson. —

Emily Adams, Hartford Courant, 3 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for on

Recent Examples of Synonyms for on

Preposition

The legislation would provide greater flexibility for governments in allocating funding under the program, which was created in 1990 as part of a broader shift in housing policy toward greater responsibility for states and cities.

— Zach Halaschak, The Washington Examiner, 10 Feb. 2026
The company claims that the birds flew preset routes and returned to base on command, marking an unusual step toward animal-machine hybrids that blur the line between biology and robotics.

— Sujita Sinha, Interesting Engineering, 10 Feb. 2026