all-out 1 of 2

adjective

ˈȯl-ˈau̇t How to pronounce all-out (audio)
Definition of all-outnext
1
as in sheer
having no exceptions or restrictions Grandpa got the all-out support of the family when he decided to remarry at age 72

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in thorough
trying all possibilities an all-out effort to break open the door

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

all out

2 of 2

adverb

as in full steam ahead
with all power or resources being used went all out for her New Year's Eve party—she even had fireworks!

Synonyms & Similar Words

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of all-out
Adjective
They had been engaged in intensive talks through the night, attempting to halt what appeared to be a spiral back into all-out war, a diplomat briefed on the talks said. — E. Eduardo Castillo, Chicago Tribune, 26 June 2026 The body politic wages war against itself in Shakespeare’s tragedy, and the all-out battle makes for a gripping spectacle in Griffith Park. — Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 1 July 2026
Adverb
The Orioles, like too many teams in Major League Baseball, go all out for Pride Night. — Jon Root Outkick, FOXNews.com, 27 June 2026 Brian Cipenga’s stunning strike gave Congo a lead seven minutes in, and England looked all out of sorts for the first hour. — Daniel Sperry, Kansas City Star, 4 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for all-out
Recent Examples of Synonyms for all-out
  1. sheer
  2. thorough
  3. thoroughly
  4. utter
  5. extensive
  6. completely
  7. unconditional
  8. complete
Adjective
  • The sleeveless gown featured a semi-sheer corset bodice with a curtain of lace foliage that cascaded down past the thigh-high slit, forming an elegant silhouette.
    — Chanel Vargas, InStyle, 5 July 2026
  • Nonetheless, some 120,000 Mint Juleps are consumed across two sunny days at Churchill Downs during the Kentucky Derby, proving that some cocktails can become refreshing daytime summer sippers just by sheer force of will, and a little crushed ice.
    — Jeremy Repanich, Robb Report, 4 July 2026
Definition of sheer
Adjective
  • Each specimen was weighed and put in the same-sized containers filled with superworm larvae to determine the optimal ratio of larvae to specimen for thorough cleaning without damaging bones.
    — Jennifer Ouellette, ArsTechnica, 1 July 2026
  • Those subtle cues usually reveal whether housekeeping is thorough or simply surface-level.
    — Molly Burford, Southern Living, 1 July 2026
Definition of thorough
Adverb
  • Preparing skeletal specimens for display in museums or for forensic studies requires the bones to be thoroughly cleaned to remove any remaining flesh or soft tissue.
    — Jennifer Ouellette, ArsTechnica, 1 July 2026
  • Mexico completed a thoroughly impressive 2-0 victory over Ecuador to advance to the last 16.
    — Ian Nicholas Quillen, Forbes.com, 1 July 2026
Definition of thoroughly
Adjective
  • Questioning, if not rejecting, established Christian doctrine, Ahab also comes to regard Moby Dick as the outward and visible sign, the physical embodiment of the indifference or, worse, utter malignity inherent in the universe.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 6 July 2026
  • But the nation’s summer has been an utter slog, lacking the identity and joy on the pitch that spectators have come to expect.
    — Doha Madani, NBC news, 5 July 2026
Definition of utter
Adjective
  • Barrett and Jackson each reported the most extensive travel of court justices promoting their books in 2025.
    — Maureen Groppe, USA Today, 30 June 2026
  • Just south of the circle, subsequent construction of the Icon Miami complex, though, destroyed extensive additional evidence of Tequesta occupation in the bedrock, including scores of holes likely dug for wooden dwelling support posts.
    — Andres Viglucci, Miami Herald, 30 June 2026
Definition of extensive
Adverb
  • Rodríguez said authorities have recorded 862 aftershocks since the main quakes and confirmed that 189 buildings collapsed completely nationwide, the vast majority in La Guaira, the coastal state that suffered the worst destruction.
    — Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 3 July 2026
  • The office didn’t completely save records with state archives as required by law.
    — Jack Harvel, Kansas City Star, 3 July 2026
Definition of completely
Adjective
  • Ramp, the corporate card and expense management company backed by Iconiq and valued at $44 billion, is now Senra’s largest advertiser and, by CEO Glyman’s own description, an unconditional backer.
    — Lily Mae Lazarus, Fortune, 5 July 2026
  • At its deepest level, this work is fueled by unconditional love—not sentimental or passive love but love as discipline, courage and commitment.
    — Yujia Zhu, Forbes.com, 2 July 2026
Definition of unconditional
Adjective
  • Roupp fought to stay in the game and record the first complete game of his career, but at 104 pitches, Vitello went to his bullpen to seal the blowout win instead of pushing his starter.
    — Justice delos Santos, Mercury News, 7 July 2026
  • These days, a complete Wirkkala set can fetch upwards of $3,600.
    — Jessica Salter, CNN Money, 7 July 2026
Definition of complete

Browse Nearby Words

allotting
all-out
all out
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Cite this Entry

“All-out.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/all-out. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on all-out

Nglish: Translation of all-out for Spanish Speakers

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