all-out

1 of 2

adjective

ˈȯl-ˈau̇t 

1

: made with maximum effort : thoroughgoing

an all-out effort to win the contest

2

: full-blown sense 2

all out

2 of 2

adverb

: with full determination or enthusiasm : with maximum effort

—used chiefly in the phrase go all out

Synonyms of all-out

Adjective

• sheer
• utter
• unconditional
• complete
• absolute
• pure
• total
• outright
• simple
• definite
• perfect

Adverb

• full steam ahead
• like crazy
• to the hilt
• in full career
• thoroughly
• completely

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

Adjective

This looks to Walz like an all-out federal assault on his state. —Isaac Stanley-Becker, The Atlantic, 29 Jan. 2026

What begins as an impossible heist gets much worse, spiraling into an all-out war of strategy, deception, and survival. —Etan Vlessing, HollywoodReporter, 27 Jan. 2026

Adverb

Yes, Hyeseong Kim might hit an inside-the-park home run on a drag bunt to the right side that gets past the pitcher, but there are six months to figure this all out. —Grant Brisbee, New York Times, 1 Feb. 2026

Terance Mann was available despite back soreness, but Ziaire Williams, Egor Dëmin, Cam Thomas and Noah Clowney were all out. —C.j. Holmes, New York Daily News, 30 Jan. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1893, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adverb

1840, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for all-out

• about
• bailout
• blackout
• blowout
• breakout
• burnout
• buyout
• checkout
• closeout
• cutout
• devout
• dropout

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