if only

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.

Which is why you might want to take an interest in what’s actually happening inside these homes — even if only for selfish reasons.

From MarketWatch • May 5, 2026

Political leaders are often keen to be seen with AI's top names, Thibout added, if only to help get some of their huge development spending for their states or regions.

From Barron's • Apr. 25, 2026

Every probe sent through the solar system behaves as if only standard gravity is at work.

From Science Daily • Apr. 24, 2026

Meanwhile, she’s tormented by the knowledge that Hadley was only 20 or so paces from the safety of the Mystic commissary, if only she’d left her cabin.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 18, 2026

The problems had been under the city’s nose all along, if only it had chosen to address them.

From "A Few Red Drops: The Chicago Race Riot of 1919" by Claire Hartfield