1
: made with maximum effort : thoroughgoing
an all-out effort to win the contest
: with full determination or enthusiasm : with maximum effort
—used chiefly in the phrase go all out
Synonyms
Adjective
- absolute
- arrant
- blank
- blooming [chiefly British]
- bodacious [Southern & Midland]
- categorical
- categoric
- clean
- complete
- consummate
- crashing
- damn
- damned
- dead
- deadly
- definite
- downright
- dreadful
- fair
- flat
- flat-out
- out-and-out
- outright
- perfect
- plumb
- profound
- pure
- rank
- regular
- sheer
- simple
- stark
- stone
- straight-out
- thorough
- thoroughgoing
- total
- unadulterated
- unalloyed
- unconditional
- unmitigated
- unqualified
- utter
- very
Adverb
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
Jessica Kiang, Variety, 17 May 2024
And that breaks the family bond and triggers an all-out battle for survival.
—Etan Vlessing, The Hollywood Reporter, 16 May 2024
Get ready for an all-out wedding war between Reese Witherspoon and Will Ferrell.
—Jack Smart, Peoplemag, 14 May 2024
Remember, the president of the United States warned Prime Minister Netanyahu repeatedly that, if there was an all-out invasion in Rafah, that the United States would make policy changes.
—CBS News, 12 May 2024
Biden said in an interview last week with CNN that his administration would not provide weapons that Israel could use for an all-out assault in Rafah.
—Josh Boak, Fortune, 12 May 2024
Jim Jones was involved in an all-out brawl on a moving escalator at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport Saturday, TMZ first reported.
—Madeleine Marr, Miami Herald, 8 May 2024
Working with simple materials meant the studio could go all-out with fixtures and appliances.
—Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 3 May 2024
Still, Iran’s priorities will include continuing to avoid an all-out war with Israel and the U.S., which could jeopardize regime stability or neuter allied regional militias, analysts say.
—Scott Peterson, The Christian Science Monitor, 3 May 2024
Angela Andaloro, Peoplemag, 11 May 2024
The Etsy team reports that couples are going all out on wedding after-parties with neon signs, late night snacks, disco decor, and more.
—Sarah Yang, Sunset Magazine, 8 May 2024
Singletons are poised to go all out on the dating scene!
—Debbie Frank, Peoplemag, 3 May 2024
When the balance is disrupted, these same systems can get all out of whack.
—Audrey Bruno, SELF, 1 May 2024
Books Why Some Women Choose Large Families Patrick T. Brown
Hannah’s Children stresses religious belief, self-sacrifice, and a willingness to be open to the workings of providence — all out of fashion today.
—Peter Skerry, National Review, 18 Apr. 2024
Anne Springs Close Greenway is going all out for Earth Day with three days of events.
—Heidi Finley, Charlotte Observer, 18 Apr. 2024
Advertisement Did the fans get it all out of their systems on opening night?
—Chuck Schilken, Los Angeles Times, 8 Apr. 2024
For now, Miami’s shooting and spacing are at a deficit with Herro, Robinson and Kevin Love (heel) all out.
—Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 23 Mar. 2024
Adjective
And so Hamid, who was formerly a literature professor in Aleppo, starts hanging about on campus, tailing his suspect and straying ever deeper into the gray area between the righteous search for justice and all-out vigilantism.
—Jessica Kiang, Variety, 17 May 2024
And that breaks the family bond and triggers an all-out battle for survival.
—Etan Vlessing, The Hollywood Reporter, 16 May 2024
Get ready for an all-out wedding war between Reese Witherspoon and Will Ferrell.
—Jack Smart, Peoplemag, 14 May 2024
Remember, the president of the United States warned Prime Minister Netanyahu repeatedly that, if there was an all-out invasion in Rafah, that the United States would make policy changes.
—CBS News, 12 May 2024
Biden said in an interview last week with CNN that his administration would not provide weapons that Israel could use for an all-out assault in Rafah.
—Josh Boak, Fortune, 12 May 2024
Jim Jones was involved in an all-out brawl on a moving escalator at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport Saturday, TMZ first reported.
—Madeleine Marr, Miami Herald, 8 May 2024
Working with simple materials meant the studio could go all-out with fixtures and appliances.
—Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 3 May 2024
Still, Iran’s priorities will include continuing to avoid an all-out war with Israel and the U.S., which could jeopardize regime stability or neuter allied regional militias, analysts say.
—Scott Peterson, The Christian Science Monitor, 3 May 2024
Adverb
The Cutest Photos of Serena Williams' Family of 4
Ohanian notes the experience with baby No. 2 has been very different than the period of figuring it all out that came with being new parents when Olympia was born.
—Angela Andaloro, Peoplemag, 11 May 2024
The Etsy team reports that couples are going all out on wedding after-parties with neon signs, late night snacks, disco decor, and more.
—Sarah Yang, Sunset Magazine, 8 May 2024
Singletons are poised to go all out on the dating scene!
—Debbie Frank, Peoplemag, 3 May 2024
When the balance is disrupted, these same systems can get all out of whack.
—Audrey Bruno, SELF, 1 May 2024
Books Why Some Women Choose Large Families Patrick T. Brown
Hannah’s Children stresses religious belief, self-sacrifice, and a willingness to be open to the workings of providence — all out of fashion today.
—Peter Skerry, National Review, 18 Apr. 2024
Anne Springs Close Greenway is going all out for Earth Day with three days of events.
—Heidi Finley, Charlotte Observer, 18 Apr. 2024
Advertisement Did the fans get it all out of their systems on opening night?
—Chuck Schilken, Los Angeles Times, 8 Apr. 2024
For now, Miami’s shooting and spacing are at a deficit with Herro, Robinson and Kevin Love (heel) all out.
—Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 23 Mar. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'all-out.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near all-out
Cite this Entry
“All-out.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/all-out. Accessed 20 May. 2024.
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