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
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
Imtiaz Tyab, CBS News, 13 Apr. 2026
But the Bipartisan Policy Center sees evidence of Peterson’s wish—that lawmakers on both sides will begin working together to come up with solutions—and is more optimistic that an all-out fiscal crisis isn’t in the cards.
—Eleanor Pringle, Fortune, 10 Apr. 2026
Darren Lauber, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 11 Apr. 2026
Henry did his level best to spell it all out to people like me, who increasingly need FIFA’s behaviour explained in words of one syllable.
—Phil Hay, New York Times, 10 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for all-out
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Adjective
The primary objective is to reach a workable understanding before the current ceasefire — set to expire around April 22 — ends in order to prevent a return to all-out-war.
—Imtiaz Tyab, CBS News, 13 Apr. 2026
But the Bipartisan Policy Center sees evidence of Peterson’s wish—that lawmakers on both sides will begin working together to come up with solutions—and is more optimistic that an all-out fiscal crisis isn’t in the cards.
—Eleanor Pringle, Fortune, 10 Apr. 2026
Adverb
Smith went 2 for 2 with a walk and double at the plate, driving in 2 runs and scoring a run, all out of the 9 hole in the lineup for Southwest Christian (24-4 overall, 6-1 district).
—Darren Lauber, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 11 Apr. 2026
Henry did his level best to spell it all out to people like me, who increasingly need FIFA’s behaviour explained in words of one syllable.
—Phil Hay, New York Times, 10 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for all-out
Cite this Entry
“All-out.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/all-out. Accessed 15 Apr. 2026.
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