if not

idiom

—used to talk about the negative result or effect of something

You should study. If not, you won't pass the test.

—used to express surprise about meeting someone when it is not expected

So I went to the game and who should I see there if not my old friend Tom!

Examples of if not in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web After being a key if not underrated part of the Panthers’ push through those playoffs, Luostarinen broke his tibia in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference final, forcing him to sit out the entire Cup Finals against the Vegas Golden Knights, who beat the Panthers in five games. —

Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 6 June 2024 Sterling had a long, if not especially conspicuous, history of racial discrimination in the world of sports and beyond. —

Cady Lang, TIME, 5 June 2024 Many, if not most, published research papers have titles that defy comprehension. —

San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 June 2024 The path to becoming cash flow-positive will shorten, but the margins will likely be erased in months if not weeks. —

Eva Roytburg, Fortune, 4 June 2024 See all Example Sentences for if not

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'if not.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.