once upon a time

ADVERB

formerly

Synonyms

STRONGEST

already earlier heretofore once

STRONG

erstwhile

WEAK

a while back aforetime anciently at one time away back back back when before before now before this down memory lane eons ago erewhile in former times in the olden days in the past lately long ago of old of yore olden days radically some time ago time was used to be water under the bridge

Antonyms

WEAK

currently future presently subsequently

ADVERB

once

Synonyms

STRONGEST

already before earlier formerly late previously

STRONG

erstwhile

WEAK

a single time at one time away back back back when but once bygone heretofore in the old days in the olden days in times gone by in times past long ago old on one occasion once only one one time before one time previously only one time quondam sometime this time time was whilom

Antonyms

STRONGEST

currently future later presently

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.

“What kept them once upon a time, and still does, was/is sheer breadth, i.e. ‘always having something to watch.’

From MarketWatch • May 28, 2026

And its story begins once upon a time.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 21, 2026

But once upon a time, they came with a stigma.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 22, 2025

It seems almost strange, given that we were all young once upon a time, but figuring out how to communicate with kids can be challenging.

From Salon • Nov. 5, 2025

A good number of the young people who bought Hush Puppies, for instance, were people who once upon a time wouldn’t have been caught dead in them.

From "The Tipping Point" by Malcolm Gladwell

once upon a time

Example Sentences

Related Words