Phrase guide

so much as

adv · 2 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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No pronunciation record was provided for this word.

1

adv

Meaning 1

Even; suggests a minimum, especially regarding what might be expected.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: not-comparable

Examples

  • Without so much as a by your leave, he walked into the office and started digging through my files. Then off he went, without so much as a ‘goodbye’.
  • If she so much as looked at another man, I’d divorce her!

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: as much as

Antonyms: none provided

2

adv

Meaning 2

But rather.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: not-comparable

Examples

  • I’m not enjoying the meal so much as admiring the atmosphere.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

No etymology was provided for this word.

Across languages

Translations

8 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Finnish: edes — even
  • Polish: choćby — even
  • Polish: nawet — even
  • Russian: даже не (daže ne) — even
  • Russian: хотя бы (xotja by) — even
  • Finnish: vaan — but rather
  • Polish: nie tak bardzo jak — but rather
  • Russian: не столько, сколько (ne stolʹko, skolʹko) — but rather