all-out

1 of 2

adjective

1
: made with maximum effort : thoroughgoing
an all-out effort to win the contest
2

all out

2 of 2

adverb

: with full determination or enthusiasm : with maximum effort
used chiefly in the phrase go all out

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
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.
Adjective
India and Pakistan have seen the scenario play out before: a terror attack in which Indians are killed leads to a succession of escalatory tit-fot-tat measures that put South Asia on the brink of all-out war. Farah N. Jan, The Conversation, 10 May 2025 The governments of both Asian nations will start negotiations on a broad set of issues at a neutral site, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on X. The ceasefire comes after the Indian and Pakistani militaries targeted each others’ bases, fueling fears of an all-out war. Bloomberg News, Boston Herald, 10 May 2025
Adverb
Apple AirPods Pro 2 Wireless Earbuds $249 $169 at Amazon When the gate area inevitably descends into chaos, slip in these noise-canceling earbuds to tune it all out. Rosie Marder, Travel + Leisure, 6 May 2025 Besides assisting with unpacking, packing, and ironing and delivering coffee and tea pick-me-ups, butlers here have been known to go all out for celebrations. Karla Walsh, Southern Living, 4 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for all-out

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1893, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adverb

1840, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of all-out was in 1840

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“All-out.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/all-out. Accessed 18 May. 2025.

Kids Definition

all-out

1 of 2 adjective
ˈȯ-ˈlau̇t
: made with maximum effort : extreme
an all-out attempt to finish on time

all out

2 of 2 adverb
: with maximum effort
went all out to win

More from Merriam-Webster on all-out

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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