all 1 of 3

Definition of allnext

all

2 of 3

adjective

all

3 of 3

pronoun

as in everyone
every person a joyous holiday to one and all!

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word all distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of all are entire, total, and whole. While all these words mean "including everything or everyone without exception," all may equal whole, entire, or total.

all proceeds go to charity

When might entire be a better fit than all?

The synonyms entire and all are sometimes interchangeable, but entire may suggest a state of completeness or perfection to which nothing can be added.

the entire population was wiped out

When could total be used to replace all?

In some situations, the words total and all are roughly equivalent. However, total implies that everything has been counted, weighed, measured, or considered.

the total number of people present

Where would whole be a reasonable alternative to all?

While in some cases nearly identical to all, whole implies that nothing has been omitted, ignored, abated, or taken away.

read the whole book

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of all
Adverb
And in an area where hail is a constant danger, the Woods knew all too well how important property insurance is. Andrea Riquier, USA Today, 28 Apr. 2026 Cameron, a defensive lineman, is a four-time All-Pro performer entering his 17th NFL season, all with the Steelers. Todd Holcomb, AJC.com, 28 Apr. 2026
Adjective
Corruth was a member of the 24th Infantry Regiment, one of the historic all-black military units known as the Buffalo Soldiers. Bri Buckley, CBS News, 23 Apr. 2026 The youngest area finisher was 20-year-old Lucy Ratterree, a former all-state runner at Charlotte Latin who now attends the University of South Carolina. Théoden Janes, Charlotte Observer, 20 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for all
Recent Examples of Synonyms for all
Adverb
  • However, the day did not go quite according to plan for Dale Coyne Racing's Romain Grosjean, and that was all thanks to an unfortunate run-in — in the most literal sense imaginable — with a bird.
    Matt Reigle OutKick, FOXNews.com, 29 Apr. 2026
  • General Daily Insight for April 29, 2026 Tension shows up today when timing, tone, or expectations don’t quite match.
    Tarot.com, The Orlando Sentinel, 29 Apr. 2026
Adverb
  • His six Opening Day starts are twice more than any other pitcher in franchise history (Josh Beckett and Josh Johnson each did it three times).
    Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 26 Mar. 2026
  • Meta and Google, whose profit mainly comes from digital advertising; Amazon, the largest online retailer and cloud-computing provider; and Microsoft, the biggest seller of business software, are each dominant in their industries and have ample cash cushions.
    Bloomberg Wire, Dallas Morning News, 6 Feb. 2026
Adjective
  • In just over 70 minutes, Daisies touches on it all, making a delectable film that deserves your undivided attention.
    Jennifer Noyes, Air Mail, 25 Apr. 2026
  • But the Stones, who were breaking out in a huge way, needed his undivided attention.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 21 Apr. 2026
Adverb
  • The music joins the casting and a too-scary third act as the only elements of this movie that don’t fully embrace its bar-lowering lack of ambition — the only elements that don’t feel pilfered from pre-existing classics.
    David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 1 May 2026
  • His brain must have its own glam squad, because his mind is fully made up.
    Brian Moylan, Vulture, 1 May 2026
Adjective
  • After all, his entire journey to the NFL has been that way.
    Steve Millar, Chicago Tribune, 30 Apr. 2026
  • Cost plays a role, but so do access, timing, and how the entire process is handled from start to finish.
    Wyles Daniel, USA Today, 29 Apr. 2026
Adverb
  • Transfer to a plate and set aside to cool completely, then use a spice grinder or mortar and pestle to grind to a fine powder.
    Madhushree Basu Roy, Saveur, 30 Apr. 2026
  • This campy, reality-shifting comedy series questions what would happen if a flaming misogynist woke up in a world that was completely matriarchal and subjugated men based on their gender.
    Madeleine Janz, PEOPLE, 30 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • With modern technologies and census data, experts can draw districts to the millimeter with the goal of packing together or splitting up whole communities with like interests.
    New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 3 May 2026
  • China has looked to expand its influence across Africa and on Friday scored a soft-power win by eliminating tariffs for the whole continent — except Eswatini.
    J.D. Capelouto, semafor.com, 3 May 2026
Adverb
  • This ensured all the layers and corners of this massive piece of gear were perfectly sanitized.
    Chelsea Gohd, Space.com, 1 May 2026
  • That celebration — with all its intensity — perfectly encapsulated the effort of the KU defense Saturday.
    Shreyas Laddha, Kansas City Star, 1 May 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“All.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/all. Accessed 6 May. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on all

Love words? Need even more definitions?

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

More from Merriam-Webster