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
Adverb
went all out for her New Year's Eve party—she even had fireworks!
Recent Examples on the Web
Bobby Allyn, NPR, 20 Apr. 2024
January ended with an all-out blood bath (and, mostly, a horror show) between Nicki Minaj and Megan Thee Stallion after years of subtle shots between the two.
—Amel Mukhtar, Vogue, 20 Apr. 2024
Several states have passed laws putting strict limitations or all-out bans into effect.
—Danielle Marie Holland, Parents, 19 Apr. 2024
Since its release, the two have waged an all-out meme war online.
—Jeff Ihaza, Rolling Stone, 18 Apr. 2024
But the direct Iranian attack on Israel could upset the delicate balance of tit-for-tat strikes, with recent incidents suggesting the door could be open for an all-out conflict.
—Shira Rubin, Washington Post, 18 Apr. 2024
Both states observed an unstated injunction against any frontal assault on their respective home turfs, which would threaten to turn their simmering conflict into an all-out war that could engulf the broader region.
—Suzanne Maloney, Foreign Affairs, 18 Apr. 2024
Israeli leaders on Tuesday were debating how best to respond to Iran’s unprecedented weekend airstrike, officials said, weighing a set of options calibrated to achieve different strategic outcomes: deterring a similar attack in the future, placating their American allies and avoiding all-out war.
—Russell Goldman, New York Times, 16 Apr. 2024
Israel is being urged by Western allies to de-escalate, as fears grow of an all-out regional war – a scenario Washington has sought to enlist Beijing’s help to avoid.
—Nectar Gan, CNN, 15 Apr. 2024
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
But perhaps there’s no solution quite as simple as going all in — and dumping them all out.
—Allison Morrow, CNN, 23 Mar. 2024
Rounding it all out is the 0.69-acre vacant parcel (above), which features 100 feet of direct ocean frontage and includes plans available for an 11,000-square-foot estate, per the listing.
—Wendy Bowman, Robb Report, 19 Mar. 2024
On Saturday, March 2, West Bend will be going all out to celebrate spring.
—Cathy Kozlowicz, Journal Sentinel, 28 Feb. 2024
Jones said some libraries that put out a display of books for Pride Month have told her that someone comes in, checks them all out, then returns them in July.
—Petula Dvorak, Washington Post, 19 Feb. 2024
Adjective
While there has been no evidence made public that Chinese government officials have accessed Americans' information through TikTok, the idea that China has the theoretical ability to weaponize an app used by half of America has been enough to set off an all-out crackdown.
—Bobby Allyn, NPR, 20 Apr. 2024
January ended with an all-out blood bath (and, mostly, a horror show) between Nicki Minaj and Megan Thee Stallion after years of subtle shots between the two.
—Amel Mukhtar, Vogue, 20 Apr. 2024
Several states have passed laws putting strict limitations or all-out bans into effect.
—Danielle Marie Holland, Parents, 19 Apr. 2024
Since its release, the two have waged an all-out meme war online.
—Jeff Ihaza, Rolling Stone, 18 Apr. 2024
But the direct Iranian attack on Israel could upset the delicate balance of tit-for-tat strikes, with recent incidents suggesting the door could be open for an all-out conflict.
—Shira Rubin, Washington Post, 18 Apr. 2024
Both states observed an unstated injunction against any frontal assault on their respective home turfs, which would threaten to turn their simmering conflict into an all-out war that could engulf the broader region.
—Suzanne Maloney, Foreign Affairs, 18 Apr. 2024
Israeli leaders on Tuesday were debating how best to respond to Iran’s unprecedented weekend airstrike, officials said, weighing a set of options calibrated to achieve different strategic outcomes: deterring a similar attack in the future, placating their American allies and avoiding all-out war.
—Russell Goldman, New York Times, 16 Apr. 2024
Israel is being urged by Western allies to de-escalate, as fears grow of an all-out regional war – a scenario Washington has sought to enlist Beijing’s help to avoid.
—Nectar Gan, CNN, 15 Apr. 2024
Adverb
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
But perhaps there’s no solution quite as simple as going all in — and dumping them all out.
—Allison Morrow, CNN, 23 Mar. 2024
Rounding it all out is the 0.69-acre vacant parcel (above), which features 100 feet of direct ocean frontage and includes plans available for an 11,000-square-foot estate, per the listing.
—Wendy Bowman, Robb Report, 19 Mar. 2024
On Saturday, March 2, West Bend will be going all out to celebrate spring.
—Cathy Kozlowicz, Journal Sentinel, 28 Feb. 2024
Jones said some libraries that put out a display of books for Pride Month have told her that someone comes in, checks them all out, then returns them in July.
—Petula Dvorak, Washington Post, 19 Feb. 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 27 Apr. 2024.
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