once 1 of 3

as in formerly
at an earlier or previous time I once knew the quotation, but time has taken its toll on my brain cells

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

once

2 of 3

adjective

once

3 of 3

conjunction

as in when
just at the moment that you should have stopped wrestling once you knew someone was getting hurt, not five minutes later

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 once
Adverb
How to watch Following the precedent that began last year, the telecast will once again start at 7 p.m.ET/4 p.m. Sandra Gonzalez, CNN, 1 Mar. 2025 But once again, states and the courts have stepped up to affirm the rule of law and the values that hold us together as a nation. Dan Perry, Newsweek, 1 Mar. 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as the once staple of American living rooms, thick catalogs from brands like Sears and J.C. Penney have dwindled and been replaced by compact mailings and digital platforms.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
  • With no imminent replacement, Silvia Venturini Fendi, who formerly oversaw menswear and accessories, has taken over as creative director.
    Laia Farran Graves, Forbes, 6 Mar. 2025
  • The artist formerly known as Kanye West thinks this is a great time for a comeback.
    Spencer Kornhaber, The Atlantic, 6 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • The Czech model and former actor bought their four-bedroom, 4.5-bathroom home on the 216-acre island in 2018 for $1.3 million.
    Madeleine Marr, Miami Herald, 4 Mar. 2025
  • John and Carlile were backed on the record by Red Hot Chili Peppers drummer Chad Smith, former Chili Peppers guitarist Josh Klinghoffer, and former Who bassist Pino Palladino.
    Andy Greene, Rolling Stone, 4 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • The other part of him, the innie, is for all intents and purposes 2 1/2 years old.
    Gary Levin, USA TODAY, 1 Mar. 2025
  • At just 10 years old, Romeo made his modeling debut in a 2013 Burberry Kids campaign, which also featured Cara Delevingne, after he was named the face of the brand’s children’s line.
    Angel Saunders, People.com, 1 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • Her other bylines include National Geographic, TIME, Travel + Leisure, Lonely Planet and Fodor’s.
    Johanna Read, Forbes, 1 Mar. 2025
  • In addition to Life After Death, two other projects, Born Again and Duets: The Final Chapter were released in 1999 and 2005 respectively.
    Shirley Halperin for The Hollywood Reporter, Robb Report, 1 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • The erstwhile heir apparent stepped down as New World’s CEO in September and was succeeded by chief operating officer Eric Ma, who in turn, was replaced two months later by Echo Huang, the CEO of the company’s mainland subsidiary.
    Zinnia Lee, Forbes, 26 Feb. 2025
  • According to a White House official, the guest list includes Senator Tim Scott, a South Carolina Republican and erstwhile presidential candidate; Michigan Representative John James; prison reform advocate Alice Johnson; and civil rights activist Alveda King.
    Tom Rogers, Newsweek, 20 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • Had past experiences conditioned you to caretake others at the expense of your own needs?
    Colin Bedell, Them, 28 Feb. 2025
  • However, much of the material, including Epstein’s infamous contacts book, had already been made public through past litigation and discovery files.
    Kaelan Deese, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 28 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • The Chicago thrillers feature college student and sometime dog obedience trainer Cory Pratt, who lives with his sister Crystal Pratt, an investigator in the violent crimes section of the Chicago police department.
    Mary Ann Grossmann, Twin Cities, 16 Feb. 2025
  • The best chance of precipitation will be from sometime Saturday afternoon into Sunday.
    Rick Sobey, Boston Herald, 11 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • The card charges no annual fees, transaction fees (even for foreign transactions), or late fees.
    PCMAG, PCMAG, 7 Mar. 2025
  • In late February, the FDA delisted semaglutide, sold under the brand names Ozempic and Wegovy.
    Cathy Cassata, Health, 7 Mar. 2025

Cite this Entry

“Once.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/once. Accessed 11 Mar. 2025.

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