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
What began as an investigation into accusations of campus antisemitism escalated into an all-out feud. Moriah Balingit, Arkansas Online, 19 Mar. 2026 The Avs and Stars haven’t had games devolve into all-out brawls like Tampa Bay and Florida have. Corey Masisak, Denver Post, 18 Mar. 2026
Adverb
As for all the construction around town, it's expected that crews will clean up and get it all out of the way in time for the draft. Chris Hoffman, CBS News, 23 Mar. 2026 Their unpaid labor is valued at $600 billion annually, more than all out-of-pocket health spending in the country combined. Neal K. Shah, Boston Herald, 17 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 30 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

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