ALL BUT Synonyms: 47 Similar and Opposite Words

all but

adverb

Definition of all but

as in almost

very close to but not completely dinner is all but on the table, so don't go anywhere

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Recent Examples of Synonyms for all but

Adverb

The six highest-earning clubs in England have remained the same for almost two decades and continue to enjoy far greater matchday and commercial revenues than the rest.

— Chris Weatherspoon, New York Times, 12 Aug. 2026
Count Michael King among those who almost expected a step back, akin to what Casey Mize endured after waiting 10 days before turning in the worst start of his career in his Padres debut in Arizona.

— Jeff Sanders, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 Aug. 2026

Definition of almost

Adverb

The two were practically joined at the hip, so much so that Weaver, who doesn’t drink much coffee, would go with Holmes to try new coffee shops on the road, something closer Devin Williams can’t help but laugh about now.

— Abbey Mastracco, New York Daily News, 7 Aug. 2026
For many years, this type of direct measurement was not practically available using conventional technologies.

— Gregory Shahnovsky, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2026

Definition of practically

Adverb

Korean trash cans Seoul is a city of nearly 10 million people, but there are just 7,000 public trash cans on its streets.

— Maureen O'Hare, CNN Money, 15 Aug. 2026
Barron, last year’s first-round pick, nearly had a second interception minutes later, but the ball squirted through his hands.

— Nick Kosmider, New York Times, 15 Aug. 2026

Definition of nearly

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.

Browse Nearby Words

allays

all but

all clear

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“All but.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/all%20but. Accessed 15 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of all but

adverb

Example Sentences

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