ONLY Synonyms: 244 Similar and Opposite Words

only 1 of 3

adverb

Definition of only

as in just

for nothing other than you're doing that only to annoy me

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in lately

not long ago we won the election only six days ago

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in merely

nothing more than I was only fooling when I said I saw a shark in the water

Synonyms & Similar Words

only

2 of 3

adjective

ˈōn-lē

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

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

only

3 of 3

conjunction

as in but

if it were not for the fact that that's a very nice idea, only it won't help

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 only

Adverb

In the falsified data, McMorrow is shown as only having 9% of voters’ support. — Hailey Bullis, The Washington Examiner, 22 Oct. 2026 For Weiss-Wolf, however, workplace accommodations are only part of the picture. — Jo Ann Liguori, Flow Space, 21 Oct. 2026

Adjective

Often, the only way to know about the foundation’s involvement in a project is to read the fine print on a wall text. — Alex Greenberger, ARTnews.com, 22 Oct. 2026 The 4th is the only Latino-majority congressional district in the Midwest. — Jake Sheridan, Chicago Tribune, 22 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for only

Recent Examples of Synonyms for only

Adverb

Completing the flight test just weeks after a captive-carry event demonstrated how quickly the program progressed through its testing sequence.

— Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 21 Oct. 2026
The mattress was ready to sleep on just a few hours after unpacking.

— Nashia Baker, Architectural Digest, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of just

Adverb

That hasn't been the trend lately, as Friday's slide in the stock market coincided with an aggressive sell-off in bonds, a trade largely driven by fears of escalating oil prices hitting both asset classes.

— Jeff Cox, CNBC, 23 Oct. 2026
Ashley’s view Concerns about AI and technology have simmered under the surface of American campaign politics for years, but have never been a fully salient everyday issue for voters until lately.

— Ashley Gold, semafor.com, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of lately

Adverb

In Boston, Rodrigues of the National Parents Union – a nonprofit advocacy and grassroots organization – objects to schools using devices merely to occupy students.

— Dalia Faheid, CNN Money, 26 Oct. 2026
Anudike-Uzomah was merely a two-star recruit coming out of Lee’s Summit.

— Sam McDowell, Kansas City Star, 25 Oct. 2026

Definition of merely

Adjective

His 28-yard touchdown reception from Sam Darnold late in the second quarter beat Delane, who had excellent position.

— Blair Kerkhoff, Kansas City Star, 26 Oct. 2026
The biggest key for the Brewers in this game is to see if their bullpen can keep their excellent pitching alive.

— OutKick, FOXNews.com, 26 Oct. 2026

Definition of excellent

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

Definition of one

Conjunction

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
The tech firm didn’t pull that video down, but reached out to police.

— Queenie Wong, The Mercury News, 3 May 2017

Definition of but

Adverb

Cocoa prices have dropped in the last year, but relief is coming too late to help prices for this Halloween, said David Branch, sector manager at Wells Fargo Agri-Food Institute.

— Aoife Walsh, Washington Post, 27 Oct. 2026
The Wizards did cut the lead to 3 points late, but free throws and rebounding ultimately clinched the win for Charlotte, who improved to 3-1 on the season.

— Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 27 Oct. 2026

Definition of late

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Style

“Only.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/only. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of only

adverb

adjective

conjunction

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