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
Andrew Sessa,
Robb Report,
2 July 2026
The long, curly ends she was once revered for were now chopped to her chin, while her bangs mingled over her brows.
—
Kaleigh Werner,
Footwear News,
2 July 2026
Nandika Chatterjee,
Time,
5 Nov. 2025
The flights through the once Category 5 storm have been particularly hairy, with one of the NOAA aircraft having to return to its base for a safety inspection after exceeding its g-force limits from the turbulence.
—
Andrew Freedman,
CNN Money,
31 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for once
Adverb
Pick a drink from a cocktail menu based on favorites served here in the 1930s, when the space was known as The Merry-Go-Round Bar and featured a working indoor carousel that rotated once an hour.
—
Andrew Sessa,
Robb Report,
2 July 2026
The long, curly ends she was once revered for were now chopped to her chin, while her bangs mingled over her brows.
—
Kaleigh Werner,
Footwear News,
2 July 2026
Adjective
The once summer home became a residential dwelling once more.
—
Nandika Chatterjee,
Time,
5 Nov. 2025
The flights through the once Category 5 storm have been particularly hairy, with one of the NOAA aircraft having to return to its base for a safety inspection after exceeding its g-force limits from the turbulence.
—
Andrew Freedman,
CNN Money,
31 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for once
Recent Examples of Synonyms for once
Adverb
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The company, formerly branded as Maxar, was acquired by Intuitive Machines in January 2026 for about $800 million.
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The lake that formerly covered the work was far out, glistening nearly out of sight, and the sand cracked beneath our feet.
Adjective
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Johnston, Cobbins leaving Johnston’s departure comes just three years after becoming the long-term replacement for former County Administrator Doug Bach, who left the government under an $800,000 separation agreement.
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The backstory Educator, journalist, and philanthropist Pleasant Rowland—best known to the world as the creator of the American Girl line of dolls—graduated from Wells College, a former school in town, in 1962.
Adjective
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The infant, who is 9 months old, was rescued along with her mother, the State Department told Fox News Digital.
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While students honed their skills at the Santa Monica studio for the last year and four months, Blanck found an old pilates studio in Pacific Highlands for rent, but the numbers just didn't add up.
Adjective
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The majority framed sports as different from other school settings because of what is at stake every time a roster is made, a medal is awarded or a scholarship is offered.
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Like so many other businesses and homes, cost has made coverage out of reach.
Adjective
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The erstwhile New York resident was loudly and vigorously booed by the hometown crowd as he was shown on the jumbotron of the legendary arena.
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Despite his meltdown in Colorado’s extra-inning loss to Milwaukee Friday night, the erstwhile starter has been one of baseball’s best relievers this season.
Adjective
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Representatives from two local tribes draw a parallel between the gather and past efforts to expel their people from their ancestral lands, and say the horses are intertwined with their culture.
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In his sixth and widely expected final World Cup, Argentinian Lionel Messi has scored six times already, including a hat trick in his opening game, catapulting the 39-year-old past Miroslav Klose’s 2014 record of 16 World Cup goals.
Adjective
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If necessary, Game 3 would be sometime Monday.
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That’s according to a new report from SAE International’s (and sometime Ars contributor) Roberto Baldwin.
Adjective
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Court records show the lawsuit was filed in Santa Clara County Superior Court in late May, but it was not announced until Monday.
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The police department did not release additional information late Monday.
Cite this Entry
“Once.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/once. Accessed 6 Jul. 2026.
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