if not

Part of Speech:

All (3) Adverb (1) Conjunction (1) Preposition (1)

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otherwise adv.
unless conj.
except prep.

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.

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if not

The charms of those “Mystery!” chestnuts resided largely in heroes who were, if not rigid, then regularly, reliably eccentric.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 10, 2026

OpenAI founder Sam Altman and others have said that many of today’s diseases could be mitigated if not cured in the next decade.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 9, 2026

Another point in Europe’s favor is that international investors view the region much like Bessent does, with indifference if not disdain.

From MarketWatch ● Sep. 9, 2026

Leaseholders charity, the Leasehold Knowledge Partnership, believes there are "too many" similar cases, where taking legal action against the developer becomes difficult, if not impossible.

From BBC ● Sep. 8, 2026

She was quite convinced of Mr. Elton’s being in the fairest way of falling in love, if not in love already.

From "Emma" by Jane Austen

if not

Example Sentences

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