all-out

1 of 2

adjective

Synonyms of all-outnext
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
The final stage was supposed to be maximum effort, which meant beginning at an all-out sprint and gradually slowing the treadmill down just enough to avoid being thrown off the back. Alex Hutchinson, Outside, 15 Mar. 2026 Lebanese government health authorities on Wednesday said 634 people have been killed in the country since March 2, including 47 women and 91 children, when Hezbollah launched rockets at Israel and spurred an all-out Israeli campaign. Nabih Bulos, Los Angeles Times, 11 Mar. 2026
Adverb
They were being forced to carry the load because LeBron James (right hip contusion and left foot arthritis) and backup centers Jaxson Hayes (back soreness) and Maxi Kleber (back) were all out with injuries. Assistant Sports Editor, Los Angeles Times, 11 Mar. 2026 This may mean buying out a coach, but Andoni Iraola (Bournemouth), Oliver Glasner (Crystal Palace) and Marco Silva (Fulham), to name three examples, are all out of contract at the end of the season and their teams are safe from relegation. Oliver Kay, New York Times, 10 Mar. 2026 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

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“All-out.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/all-out. Accessed 21 Mar. 2026.

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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