as in almost
very close to but not completely
dinner is all but on the table, so don't go anywhere
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for all but
Adverb
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The Transportation Security Administration began requiring REAL ID-compliant identification to travel through Nashville International Airport and every other U.S. airport on May 7, almost exactly 20 years after President George W. Bush signed the REAL ID Act into law.—
Hadley Hitson,
The Tennessean,
21 Aug. 2025 -
Satellite: Available almost everywhere, slower speeds and higher latency (Hughesnet).—
Kara McGinley,
USA Today,
21 Aug. 2025
Adverb
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Finding a new niche subgenre is practically a love language of mine.—
Clare Mulroy,
USA Today,
21 Aug. 2025
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Because practically every president since Nixon has ignored the act’s strictures, Trump isn’t about to become the first who is brought to heel—particularly with Mike Johnson poised slavishly at his feet.—
Chris Lehmann,
Harpers Magazine,
20 Aug. 2025
Adverb
-
The investigation found that two fintechs facilitated nearly one in every three PPP loans funded in 2021 failed to implement systems capable of consistently detecting and preventing fraudulent and otherwise ineligible PPP applications.—
Kelly Phillips Erb,
Forbes.com,
21 Aug. 2025
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One of millions of people to have been evacuated to the countryside via 'Operation Pied Piper,' Molly has been away from her parents—from her home—for nearly five years.—
Kaycee Sloan,
The Enquirer,
21 Aug. 2025
Adverb
-
Top with about 1 heaping teaspoon of the tomato mixture.—
Susan Selasky,
Freep.com,
31 Aug. 2025
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The length of individual Key Moments isn’t specified, but Google’s example shows a segment of about five seconds.—
Paul Monckton,
Forbes.com,
31 Aug. 2025
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Cite this Entry
“All but.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/all%20but. Accessed 3 Sep. 2025.
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