only too

phrase

: very or completely
He knew only too well what it meant to go to war.
They were only too ready to give up and go home.

Examples of only too in a Sentence

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Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
And the retroactive nature of the proposal raises potential constitutional questions that some rich folks would be only too happy to test in court. — Jack Dolan, Los Angeles Times, 7 Oct. 2026 However, Kyiv’s ability to develop defenses against ballistic missiles is much more limited, a weakness that Moscow is only too happy to exploit. — Paul Iddon, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2026 The bad news is that four years is a long time to wait to put things right, as France know only too well. — Stuart James, New York Times, 18 July 2026 The scene is only too reminiscent of Rohmer’s 1970 film Claire’s Knee, when both Claire and Jérôme are compelled to find a shelter from a sudden downpour. — André Aciman, Literary Hub, 13 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for only too

Rhymes for only too

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Browse Nearby Words

(only) time will tell
only too
only wish/want/hope
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Cite this Entry

“Only too.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/only%20too. Accessed 14 Oct. 2026.

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