as in unlimited
not limited or specialized in application or purpose
there's nothing wrong with all-purpose flour for baking bread, but flour with more gluten is better
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of all-purpose
WhatsApp functioned as an all-purpose back channel at work.
—
Sam Knight, New Yorker, 12 Jan. 2026
Since Barkley entered the NFL in 2018, the only two players who have more all-purpose yards are Derrick Henry and McCaffrey.
—Zach Berman, New York Times, 11 Jan. 2026
First-team selections for the 49ers were running back Christian McCaffrey as an all-purpose back and fullback Kyle Juszczyk.
—Jerry McDonald, Mercury News, 11 Jan. 2026
Give the filmmakers props for shooting much of this in-camera rather than CGI, and also for the realistic grisly performance of the actor in the all-purpose monkey suit, Miguel Torres Umba.
—Pete Hammond, Deadline, 8 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for all-purpose
Sam Knight, New Yorker, 12 Jan. 2026
Since Barkley entered the NFL in 2018, the only two players who have more all-purpose yards are Derrick Henry and McCaffrey.
—Zach Berman, New York Times, 11 Jan. 2026
First-team selections for the 49ers were running back Christian McCaffrey as an all-purpose back and fullback Kyle Juszczyk.
—Jerry McDonald, Mercury News, 11 Jan. 2026
Give the filmmakers props for shooting much of this in-camera rather than CGI, and also for the realistic grisly performance of the actor in the all-purpose monkey suit, Miguel Torres Umba.
—Pete Hammond, Deadline, 8 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for all-purpose
Recent Examples of Synonyms for all-purpose
Adjective
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The letter cited Boise City Code, which prohibits selling or advertising unlimited alcoholic drinks for a single price.—
Rose Evans,
Idaho Statesman,
8 Jan. 2026
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Applicants can submit up to five pieces per entry, with unlimited submissions allowed, at a $20 fee per entry.—
Mona Darwish,
Oc Register,
8 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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The Ukrainian team includes Rustem Umerov, head of Ukraine's national security and defense council; Andrii Hnatov, chief of the general staff; and Kyrylo Budanov, head of the presidential office.—
KAMILA HRABCHUK,
Arkansas Online,
24 Jan. 2026
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Brown, who is not related to the former governor, is the former general manager of the Contra Costa Water District and helped build and expand Los Vaqueros Reservoir in Contra Costa County.—
Paul Rogers,
Mercury News,
24 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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While incumbents have largely optimized Ethernet for general-purpose networking and infotainment workloads, what sets Ethernovia apart is its architectural focus.—
Victor Dey,
Forbes.com,
21 Jan. 2026
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The Sacramento County Department of Transportation widened the six- to eight-lane section of Watt to accommodate unprotected bike lanes while maintaining three wide general-purpose lanes in each direction plus varying turning lanes and a 45 mph speed limit.—
Ariane Lange,
Sacbee.com,
20 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“All-purpose.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/all-purpose. Accessed 27 Jan. 2026.
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