Synonyms of only

only 1 of 3

adverb

1

as in just

for nothing other than

you're doing that only to annoy me

Synonyms & Similar Words

• just
• solely
• purely
• simply
• exclusively
• alone
• primarily
• mostly
• mainly
• basically
• generally
• largely
• principally
• substantially
• chiefly
• predominantly
• by and large

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• also
• likewise
• additionally
• besides

2

as in lately

not long ago

we won the election only six days ago

Synonyms & Similar Words

• lately
• late
• just
• newly
• recently
• now
• new
• freshly
• of late
• latterly

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• previously
• before
• early
• earlier
• ago
• formerly
• anciently
• heretofore
• hitherto
• erstwhile

3

as in merely

nothing more than

I was only fooling when I said I saw a shark in the water

Synonyms & Similar Words

• just
• merely
• simply
• purely
• but

only

2 of 3

adjective

ˈōn-lē 

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

• excellent
• exceptional
• extraordinary
• uncommon
• unique
• great
• beautiful
• wonderful
• unusual
• out of sight
• rare
• immense
• unmatched
• unparalleled
• unequalled
• unrivalled
• lovely
• incomparable
• unrivaled
• peerless
• unequaled
• unsurpassed
• matchless
• unsurpassable
• superb
• marvellous
• divine
• inimitable
• alone
• heavenly
• marvelous
• unexampled
• special
• fine
• singular
• stellar
• better
• choice
• terrific
• nonpareil
• awesome
• fabulous
• famous
• keen
• fantastic
• prime
• grand
• superior
• preferred
• classic
• quality
• noble
• sterling
• mean
• brave
• top
• prize
• gone
• first-class
• superlative
• dandy
• wizard
• splendid
• cracking
• first-rate
• nifty
• capital
• neat
• sensational
• swell
• frontline
• number one
• par excellence
• fancy
• high-class
• banner
• boss
• peachy
• No. 1
• radical
• out-of-sight
• dynamite
• A1
• dope
• brag
• righteous
• primo
• groovy
• bully
• supernal
• hot
• down
• top-notch
• cool
• bumper
• gangbusters
• A-OK
• hype
• first-string
• high-grade
• peachy keen
• numero uno
• fab
• gangbuster
• fantabulous
• tip-top
• crackerjack
• corking
• blue-chip
• jim-dandy
• boffo
• bonnie
• prizewinning
• bang-up
• bonny
• five-star
• phat

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• common
• normal
• usual
• ordinary
• frequent
• familiar
• lesser
• worse
• worst
• everyday
• commonplace
• routine
• ubiquitous
• lower
• garden
• poor
• inferior
• bad
• low
• off
• ill
• wanting
• unacceptable
• paltry
• unsatisfactory
• deficient
• lousy
• bastard
• lame
• substandard
• depressed
• household
• bush
• terrible
• low-grade
• mediocre
• awful
• second-class
• pathetic
• dissatisfactory
• wretched
• atrocious
• punk
• vile
• rotten
• bush-league
• execrable
• second-rate

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

• one
• lone
• special
• unique
• sole
• single
• alone
• singular
• solitary
• sui generis
• distinctive
• distinct
• unequalled
• one-off
• unrivalled
• unaccompanied
• unparalleled
• unattended
• incomparable
• solo
• unrivaled
• peerless
• unequaled
• separate
• matchless
• unsurpassable
• unmatched
• inimitable
• unsurpassed
• individual
• nonce

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• myriad
• mixed
• varied
• multifarious
• manifold
• miscellaneous
• prevalent
• popular
• assorted
• promiscuous
• prevailing
• rampant
• heterogenous
• divers
• perennial
• recurrent
• repeated
• patchwork
• motley

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

• but
• excepting
• except
• yet
• saving

Examples of only in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Adverb

In the 33-year history of MusiCares events, this marks only the third time that a superstar group has been selected for the honor instead of an individual. —Chris Willman, Variety, 23 Oct. 2024

Of the couples who headed to Mexico, however, only two actually made it down the altar. —Lissete Lanuza Sáenz, StyleCaster, 23 Oct. 2024

Adjective

But the opening credits sequence is the only time viewers get to see characters from different decades interact. —Max Gao, The Hollywood Reporter, 22 Oct. 2024

The shimmery silver manicure wasn't the only cosmos-inspired look Gomez has worn as of late. —Kara Nesvig, Allure, 22 Oct. 2024