if not

ADVERB

otherwise

Synonyms

STRONG

differently

WEAK

any other way at another time contrarily diversely elseways in different circumstances on the other hand or else or then under other conditions variously

CONJUNCTION

unless

Synonyms

WEAK

but except except for excepting that lest saving without

PREPOSITION

except

Synonyms

STRONGEST

save

STRONG

bar barring excepting excluding exempting lacking omitting rejecting saving

WEAK

apart from aside from besides but exclusive of leaving out minus not for outside of short of with the exception of without

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

“Now would be the time to sell some of it, if not all of it.”

From Barron's • Jun. 10, 2026

Pulte’s grandfather, at one point one of the wealthiest men in the world, built a Fortune 500 company and gave tens if not hundreds of millions of dollars to charity before his 2018 death.

From Salon • Jun. 9, 2026

Special events was the logical, if not natural, next step.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 8, 2026

Even so, the results suggest that where nitrate comes from may matter just as much, if not more, than how much is consumed.

From Science Daily • Jun. 8, 2026

She and Vivian were friendly, if not friends.

From "Not Nothing" by Gayle Forman

if not

Example Sentences

Related Words