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.

“It is one of the most highly anticipated, if not the most highly anticipated, IPOs of all time and obviously the biggest to date,” said Nicholas Smith, an analyst at Renaissance Capital.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 11, 2026

Very little came off exactly as planned, given the still-tight budget, but by the time Sullivan County celebrated its centennial in 2025, its future seemed auspicious if not guaranteed.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 11, 2026

Chief U.S. economist Thomas Simons of Jefferies said the bump in new claims over the past two weeks is almost certainly what he calls “noise” and ought to be played down, if not ignored.

From MarketWatch • Jun. 11, 2026

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

From Barron's • Jun. 10, 2026

It was his job to lessen that imbalance, to help make the world if not more fair, then more just.

From "Not Nothing" by Gayle Forman

if not

Example Sentences

Related Words