1
as in just
for nothing other than
you're doing that only to annoy me
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
1
as in excellent
having no equal or rival for excellence or desirability
the only way to really appreciate the beauty of the forest is to walk through it
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in one
being the one or ones of a class with no other members
that is the only possible right answer we were the only passengers on the tour bus
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of only
Sindiswa Mabunda, Forbes.com, 14 June 2025
Still, Israel has carried out the majority of these interceptions using its own advanced system, designed to assess incoming threats and respond only when projectiles are headed toward populated areas or critical infrastructure.
—Tom O'Connor Whisnant, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 June 2025
Scott Bay, Travel + Leisure, 13 June 2025
Happy Father’s Day, Dad. Wilkie Ferguson honorees Warm congratulations to Oliver L. Gross, who on June 7 was the only non-lawyer among five honorees recognized at the Wilkie D. Ferguson Jr. Bar Association and Foundation’s 44th installation and scholarship gala.
—Bea L. Hines, Miami Herald, 13 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for only
Adverb
From a breakout run with Senegal’s AS Douanes to a fresh challenge with Libya’s Al Ahli Tripoli, his path reflects not only personal growth but the maturing identity of a league where African basketball continues to rise.
—Sindiswa Mabunda, Forbes.com, 14 June 2025
Still, Israel has carried out the majority of these interceptions using its own advanced system, designed to assess incoming threats and respond only when projectiles are headed toward populated areas or critical infrastructure.
—Tom O'Connor Whisnant, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 June 2025
Adjective
Black Tomato is far from the only operator dreaming up next-level challenges, as travel advisors, tour companies, and even cruise lines are tailoring their offerings to what some call Type 2 fun: experiences that are difficult in the moment, but enriching in hindsight.
—Scott Bay, Travel + Leisure, 13 June 2025
Happy Father’s Day, Dad. Wilkie Ferguson honorees Warm congratulations to Oliver L. Gross, who on June 7 was the only non-lawyer among five honorees recognized at the Wilkie D. Ferguson Jr. Bar Association and Foundation’s 44th installation and scholarship gala.
—Bea L. Hines, Miami Herald, 13 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for only
Recent Examples of Synonyms for only
Adverb
-
Beutel, a computer engineer specializing in mountain monitoring, had just witnessed a glacier collapse.—
Laura Paddison,
CNN Money,
7 June 2025
-
But Cyrus, who just released her Something Beautiful audio recording last week, with the visual album set to come out next week, is already looking to the future.—
Hilary Lewis,
HollywoodReporter,
7 June 2025
Adverb
-
Yes, the Chicago Cubs are having a heck of a time scoring runs lately.—
Jeff Vorva,
Chicago Tribune,
15 June 2025
-
This thought has come to mind a lot lately, as much has been made of the political wranglings of Earth’s richest technocrats, whose ambitions range from lower taxes to interplanetary colonization.—
Alex Morris,
Rolling Stone,
15 June 2025
Adverb
-
By understanding this nuanced relationship, leaders and HR professionals can develop more effective interventions that address the underlying causes of disengagement rather than merely treating its symptoms.—
Jonathan H. Westover,
Forbes.com,
10 June 2025
-
Could Berg have launched that boycott, instead of merely threatening to do so?—
Emily Nussbaum,
New Yorker,
9 June 2025
Adjective
-
But that year does look a little anomalous on his career ledger, with more of an 80-point baseline (which, of course, is still excellent).—
Max Bultman,
New York Times,
17 June 2025
-
And excellent retail in turn should entice people to choose one store over another and visit often.—
Phil Wahba,
Fortune,
17 June 2025
Adjective
-
Drinkwater didn't make one appearance in a Chelsea shirt last season, whilst Bakayoko spent the season in Italy on loan at AC Milan.—
SI.com,
SI.com,
3 Aug. 2019
-
Decisions made by engineers today, in other words, will determine not how one car drives but how all cars drive.—
Johannes Himmelreich,
BostonGlobe.com,
30 Mar. 2018
Conjunction
-
But scientists and doctors say things aren’t that simple — and a belief that exposing children to marijuana, either directly or indirectly, is harmless isn’t supported by the facts.—
Daniel M. Jimenez,
The Cannifornian,
22 June 2017
-
But with a full and volatile season behind them, the two have grown closer, prompting check-ins from Bradford last month, seeking tidbits from his coach who watched OTA practices on a tablet from his Kentucky retreat.—
Chad Graff,
Twin Cities,
15 June 2017
Adverb
-
They are prohibited from interfering with lawful assemblies or collecting information on individuals based solely on identity, beliefs or associations.—
Kendrick Calfee,
Kansas City Star,
13 June 2025
-
Romantic comedies have always existed almost solely for pleasure’s sake—that’s what’s great about them.—
Stephanie Zacharek,
Time,
13 June 2025
Adverb
-
Sure, Tyrese Haliburton nearly had a triple-double and Pascal Siakam scored 21 points and Myles Turner battled through illness to have a pair of huge blocks late in Indiana’s 116-107 victory Wednesday night, but McConnell and Mathurin were the story.—
Tim Reynolds,
Chicago Tribune,
12 June 2025
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But the hotel devolved from an icon to an eyesore in the decades preceding its demolition late last year, months after a fire tore through its long-vacant interior the night of Saturday, June 15, 2024.—
Jake Goodrick,
Sacbee.com,
12 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Only.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/only. Accessed 20 Jun. 2025.
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