all-out

1 of 2

adjective

ˈȯl-ˈau̇t How to pronounce all-out (audio)
Synonyms of all-outnext
1
: made with maximum effort : thoroughgoing
an all-out effort to win the contest
2
: full-blown sense 2

all out

2 of 2

adverb

: with full determination or enthusiasm : with maximum effort
—used chiefly in the phrase go all out

Synonyms of all-out

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Adjective

Adverb

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Examples of all-out in a Sentence

Adjective Grandpa got the all-out support of the family when he decided to remarry at age 72 an all-out effort to break open the door Adverb went all out for her New Year's Eve party—she even had fireworks!
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Adjective
Known to go all-out for her birthday, Kardashian has been spotted out and about all week sporting some eye-catching outfits. — Erin Wisti, Footwear News, 24 Oct. 2026 And as the five-year anniversary of Russia's all-out invasion of its neighbor approaches, aerial strikes have killed thousands of civilians and hundreds of thousands of soldiers on both sides. — Arkansas Online, 23 Oct. 2026
Adverb
When all out-of-court options have been exhausted, and the MCA debt threatens the immediate survival of an otherwise viable business, legal reorganization is the final angle of management. — Nathan Mor, Forbes.com, 26 Oct. 2026 Seattle put up 353 total yards and Jaxon Smith-Njigba caught 12 passes for 134 yards, but three turnovers wiped it all out. — Alejandro Avila Outkick, FOXNews.com, 16 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for all-out

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1893, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adverb

1840, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of all-out was in 1840

Rhymes for all-out

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Browse Nearby Words

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all-out
all out
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Cite this Entry

“All-out.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/all-out. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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Kids Definition

all-out

1 of 2 adjective
ˈȯ-ˈlau̇t
: made with maximum effort : extreme
an all-out attempt to finish on time

all out

2 of 2 adverb
: with maximum effort
went all out to win
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