if not

Adverb

Meaning

perhaps; indicating possibility of being more remarkable (greater or better or sooner) than

Source: WordNet

otherwise or or else else unless elsewise

What do we live for, if not to make life less difficult for each other? George Eliot

Love is never lost. If not reciprocated, it will flow back and soften and purify the heart. Washington Irving

I could see that, if not actually disgruntled, he was far from being gruntled. P. G. Wodehouse

If not for fear, sin would be sweet. Jewish Proverb

Ink, if not used, will dry up. Polish Proverb

Dear physic always does good, if not to the patient, at least to the apothecary. German Proverb