for all intents and purposes

idiom

US
—used to say that one thing has the same effect or result as something else
Their decision to begin bombing was, for all intents and purposes, a declaration of war.

Dictionary Entries Near for all intents and purposes

for all

for all intents and purposes

for all one knows

See More Nearby Entries 

Cite this Entry

“For all intents and purposes.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/for%20all%20intents%20and%20purposes. Accessed 27 Nov. 2022.

Copy Citation

Share

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of onomatopoeia

See Definitions and Examples »

Test Your Vocabulary

Challenging Words You Should Know

  • hedgehog reading a book
  • Often used to describe “the march of time,” what does inexorable mean?
Spell It

Hear a word and type it out. How many can you get right?

TAKE THE QUIZ
Universal Daily Crossword

A daily challenge for crossword fanatics.

TAKE THE QUIZ
Words at Play
Ask the Editors
Word Games