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
Joe Reid, Vulture, 15 Sep. 2025
After nearly three years with boyfriend Chase Stokes, country singer Kelsea Ballerini is single once more.
—Elizabeth Logan, Glamour, 15 Sep. 2025
Evelyn Cheng, CNBC, 23 Mar. 2025
Kanye also attacked Jay-Z and his wife, Beyoncé, along with their children, over feeling abandoned by his once collaborator.
—Justin Curto, Vulture, 19 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for once
Adverb
Or if The White Lotus once again got a woozy character-actress performance a win in Supporting Actress?
—Joe Reid, Vulture, 15 Sep. 2025
After nearly three years with boyfriend Chase Stokes, country singer Kelsea Ballerini is single once more.
—Elizabeth Logan, Glamour, 15 Sep. 2025
Adjective
The price target increases come as industry giant BYD last week announced ultra-fast charging technology, on top of its launch in February of driver-assist systems for a range of its cars — signaling the once niche feature is going mainstream.
—Evelyn Cheng, CNBC, 23 Mar. 2025
Kanye also attacked Jay-Z and his wife, Beyoncé, along with their children, over feeling abandoned by his once collaborator.
—Justin Curto, Vulture, 19 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for once
Recent Examples of Synonyms for once
Adverb
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In response to the controversy, Gutman took to X, formerly Twitter, to explain his intent.—
Heather Hunter,
The Washington Examiner,
18 Sep. 2025
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Friedland’s Ivanhoe Atlantic, formerly High Power Exploration, plans to invest $5 billion in infrastructure projects in Africa's Liberty Corridor, connecting Guinea to Liberia.—
Yessar Rosendar,
Forbes.com,
18 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Matthew Doyle, a former adviser to Starmer, described the visit as a strategic blend of ceremony and diplomacy.—
Amanda Castro
Hannah Parry
Shane Croucher
Jack Royston,
MSNBC Newsweek,
18 Sep. 2025
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Cruz’s rebuttal didn’t touch on Carlson’s claims of frustration with Netanyahu, which former congressman Matt Gaetz said are largely true based on his relationship with Kirk.—
Robert Schmad,
The Washington Examiner,
18 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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When Angels manager Ron Washington took medical leave in June for the remainder of the 2025 season, Bochy became the oldest skipper, and only septuagenarian, in MLB.—
Candace Oehler,
Forbes.com,
19 Sep. 2025
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Viewed in this light, the old narrative of 1066 and its aftermath has much to recommend it.—
Will Collins,
The Washington Examiner,
19 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Grassley and other Republicans argue that by the time Smith formally inherited the case, the groundwork had already been laid for a wide-ranging operation that effectively criminalized political opposition.—
Kaelan Deese,
The Washington Examiner,
18 Sep. 2025
-
This is done through simple ultrasounds and other imaging technology.—
Lauren Giella,
MSNBC Newsweek,
18 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Being able to generate code was finally getting a chance to shine in the bright lights of another erstwhile reason to use generative AI and LLMs.—
Lance Eliot,
Forbes.com,
18 Sep. 2025
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While Russia obsesses over Ukraine, its erstwhile friends and clients are quietly slipping away.—
Jeremy Shapiro,
The Atlantic,
10 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Other pros, including Gleb Savchenko, Ezra Sosa, and newcomer Jan Ravnik, appear to be single this season—but as past seasons have shown, the ballroom has a way of sparking unexpected connections.—
Amanda Castro,
MSNBC Newsweek,
17 Sep. 2025
-
Now, some of AQSLC’s past activities and affiliations are raising eyebrows.—
Mia Cathell,
The Washington Examiner,
17 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Among the travelling group was Penny Cuthbertson, a friend of Lucian’s and his sometime subject.—
Rebecca Mead,
New Yorker,
8 Sep. 2025
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Those two little words, your place, offer a first big hint as to the sometime-couple’s current status.—
Matt Webb Mitovich,
TVLine,
4 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Remarks from Kirk’s widow were well received on the Right, with little controversy as to her interpretation of her late husband’s wishes.—
Robert Schmad,
The Washington Examiner,
18 Sep. 2025
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Their latest attempt, through a kangaroo immigration court, exposes their true colors once again.—
Robert Alexander,
MSNBC Newsweek,
18 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Once.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/once. Accessed 21 Sep. 2025.
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