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
Examples Sentences
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Recent Examples of once
Megan Crepeau, Chicago Tribune, 12 Jan. 2025
The villa had been completely renovated once before, in the 1980s, though its landmark status kept the façade untouched.
—Ulrich Clewing, Architectural Digest, 12 Jan. 2025
Alicia Wallace, CNN, 4 Oct. 2024
But the uprisings profoundly undermined the United States’ core alliances, encouraging local powers to pursue policies at odds with Washington’s and inviting global competitors such as China and Russia into the once unipolar region.
—Marc Lynch, Foreign Affairs, 8 Dec. 2020
See all Example Sentences for once 
Adverb
Now, four years after resigning his seat in the legislature amid a burgeoning federal corruption investigation, Madigan is banking on his word once again.
—Megan Crepeau, Chicago Tribune, 12 Jan. 2025
The villa had been completely renovated once before, in the 1980s, though its landmark status kept the façade untouched.
—Ulrich Clewing, Architectural Digest, 12 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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
But the uprisings profoundly undermined the United States’ core alliances, encouraging local powers to pursue policies at odds with Washington’s and inviting global competitors such as China and Russia into the once unipolar region.
—Marc Lynch, Foreign Affairs, 8 Dec. 2020
See all Example Sentences for once
Recent Examples of Synonyms for once
Adverb
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This is, as its name would suggest, the second car from Polestar, formerly Volvo’s performance division – a bit like AMG is to Mercedes – but now a sister brand that, like Volvo, is owned by Chinese automotive giant Geely.Alistair Charlton, Forbes, 17 Jan. 2025
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Giannoulias is teaming with AARP, formerly the American Association of Retired Persons, to change state law which now requires seniors to take road tests beginning at age 79.Charles Selle, Chicago Tribune, 17 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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Their former The Hills co-stars Brody Jenner, Kristin Cavallari, Whitney Port and Audrina Patridge have all shouted out Montag’s music on their own platforms.Kirsten Chuba, The Hollywood Reporter, 15 Jan. 2025
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Dig in: Duckworth purchased the recipe rights and is partnering with Chili Willi's former owner and chef, Ron Smith, to bring the restaurant to Charlotte.Laura Barrero, Axios, 15 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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On the day of the shooting, Nixon-Clark was 16 years and 9 months old, just shy of reaching legal status as an adult.Emerson Clarridge, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 12 Jan. 2025
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Listeriosis is considered a serious condition and can be dangerous or life-threatening, especially to newborns, those aged 65 or older, those who are pregnant, and those with weak immune systems, according to the and pregnant people, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Mike Snider, USA TODAY, 12 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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Some are contracted by insurance companies and other times are hired directly by affluent homeowners.Andrea Chang, Los Angeles Times, 13 Jan. 2025
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Multiple other films positioned themselves this weekend to ride the awards wave.Tom Brueggemann, IndieWire, 12 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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But as the decades passed and shinier properties in even taller towers mushroomed around the city, the Dusit Thani lost its erstwhile luster and eventually morphed into a dependable — but dated — choice for (mostly) business travelers passing through town.Chris Schalkx, Travel + Leisure, 8 Jan. 2025
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And while Vice President-elect J.D. Vance is in many respects a movement conservative himself, the populist Ohioan has worked with progressive Democrats on bipartisan legislation in the Senate, in contrast with former Vice President Mike Pence, Trump’s erstwhile sidekick from four years ago.W. James Antle III, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 4 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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This one is steamy, full of pining and regret over past mistakes, made even more angsty because the two come from sports dynasty families with long-standing grudges.Ellie K. Wilde, People.com, 11 Jan. 2025
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Bilodeau paced the Bruins with 18 points for his sixth double-digit showing in his past eight starts and four rebounds, and Perry came off the bench to compile 10 points, four rebounds, three assists and two steals.Edward Lee, Baltimore Sun, 11 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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As if life weren’t challenging enough already, Evie is going to be navigating this amongst the eccentricity of her family home, living with her fiercely loving single mum Suz (Suranne Jones), sister Izzie (Liv Hill), and handsome boyfriend (sometime man of the house) Josh (Adam Long).Lily Ford, The Hollywood Reporter, 27 Dec. 2024
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Since the invasion of Iraq, the US has struggled to find a policy for Syria that could accommodate the vastly different needs of its allies Israel, Jordan, Turkey, and its sometime partners Iraq and Lebanon.Nick Paton Walsh, CNN, 7 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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The city’s 3-K program, for three-year-olds, is not yet universal, owing to Mayor Eric Adams’s budget austerity; his latest budget proposal leaves 3-K with a funding gap of a hundred and twelve million dollars.Jessica Winter, The New Yorker, 18 Jan. 2025
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Hollywood’s latest attempt at rebooting Wolf Man certainly doesn’t lack for pedigree, between Blumhouse and writer-director Leigh Whannell, the duo behind 2020’s The Invisible Man, which was a surprise hit in earning north of $144 million globally.Pamela McClintock, The Hollywood Reporter, 18 Jan. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near once
Cite this Entry
“Once.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/once. Accessed 21 Jan. 2025.
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