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
Wendy Bowman, Robb Report, 5 Feb. 2025
However, Congress has taken an increasingly serious look at reports of mystery flying objects, treating the once widely mocked topic of UFOs — now often dubbed Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena (UAPs) — into a serious issue.
—CBS News, 24 Jan. 2025
Natalie Venegas, Newsweek, 30 Nov. 2024
As job gains dropped off from their once breakneck pace, economists were quick to note that the labor market was merely slowing and not at risk of imminent collapse.
—Alicia Wallace, CNN, 4 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for once 
Adverb
On and off the rental market since 2022, once for as much as $19,000 per month, it’s now resurfaced for sale at a dash under $4.6 million.
—Wendy Bowman, Robb Report, 5 Feb. 2025
However, Congress has taken an increasingly serious look at reports of mystery flying objects, treating the once widely mocked topic of UFOs — now often dubbed Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena (UAPs) — into a serious issue.
—CBS News, 24 Jan. 2025
Adjective
The downsizing trend reflects broader shifts in marketing as the once staple of American living rooms, thick catalogs from brands like Sears and J.C. Penney have dwindled and been replaced by compact mailings and digital platforms.
—Natalie Venegas, Newsweek, 30 Nov. 2024
As job gains dropped off from their once breakneck pace, economists were quick to note that the labor market was merely slowing and not at risk of imminent collapse.
—Alicia Wallace, CNN, 4 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for once
Recent Examples of Synonyms for once
Adverb
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The singer, who supported former Vice President Kamala Harris in the recent election cycle, took to X, formerly Twitter, on Tuesday to share her thoughts on the new government, which has been in place since Trump's January 20 swearing in ceremony.—
Jonathan Granoff,
Newsweek,
29 Jan. 2025
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He's accused of firing a gun twice in the direction of Terell Ephron, an ex-friend who was formerly known as A$AP Relli, after an argument in Hollywood, California, in November 2021.—
Taijuan Moorman,
USA TODAY,
29 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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Monday’s event featured former Jets, some of them returning to the team’s facility for the first time in decades, there to see Aaron Glenn.—
Zack Rosenblatt,
The Athletic,
28 Jan. 2025
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Meanwhile, severance payments totaled $9.2 million last fiscal year, almost all of which related to the mid-season firing of former head men’s basketball coach Chris Holtmann.—
Daniel Libit,
Sportico.com,
27 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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Felipe Montemayor, a teammate of Hall of Famer Roberto Clemente in Pittsburgh and one of the oldest living Major League Baseball players, died Tuesday according to multiple reports out of Mexico.—
Anders Fogh Rasmussen,
Newsweek,
5 Feb. 2025
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The earliest traces of lead pollution the researchers identified were 5,200 years old.—
Ella Jeffries,
Smithsonian Magazine,
5 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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But the messages also showed CNN’s reporters passing up opportunities to explore other angles.—
Gene Maddaus,
Variety,
5 Feb. 2025
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Since going public with their relationship in 2023, Kelce and Swift have supported each other at games and concerts alike.—
Larisha Paul,
Rolling Stone,
5 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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The erstwhile sitcom king also is up for Worst Actor.—
Erik Pedersen,
Deadline,
21 Jan. 2025
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The Marlins are banking on a big rebound from erstwhile ace Sandy Alcantara, who missed last year while recuperating from Tommy John surgery.—
Dan Schlossberg,
Forbes,
6 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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As in past years, Uber’s Super Bowl spot is just the beginning of its marketing efforts.—
Brian Steinberg,
Variety,
4 Feb. 2025
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However, past rate hikes were supposed to factor in risks such as wildfires and other natural disasters that are prevalent in different areas in California.—
David Faris,
Newsweek,
4 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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Questlove cites Prince and the Revolution as a direct descendant of Stone’s integration-now, segregation-never lineup, which even featured a female trumpet player (his sometime partner Cynthia Robinson).—
Damon Wise,
Deadline,
24 Jan. 2025
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As if life weren’t challenging enough already, Evie is going to be navigating this amongst the eccentricity of her family home, living with her fiercely loving single mum Suz (Suranne Jones), sister Izzie (Liv Hill), and handsome boyfriend (sometime man of the house) Josh (Adam Long).—
Lily Ford,
The Hollywood Reporter,
27 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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About 300 responders were on the scene as of late Wednesday night, according to D.C. Fire and EMS Chief John Donnelly.—
Leah Sarnoff,
ABC News,
30 Jan. 2025
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Many experts believe Anne is driven by the memory of her late parents.—
Stephanie Nolasco,
Fox News,
30 Jan. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near once
Cite this Entry
“Once.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/once. Accessed 9 Feb. 2025.
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