as in almost
very close to but not completely
dinner is all but on the table, so don't go anywhere
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for all but
Adverb
-
Sure, the Hurricanes beat the world when Jimmy Johnson and Dennis Erickson coached there, but that was almost two generations ago.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
8 Jan. 2026 -
Larssen told the Ledger-Transcript that for part of the slide, the SUV was almost t-boned until Martin, who drove the vehicle, was able to pull out.—
David Chiu,
PEOPLE,
8 Jan. 2026
Adverb
-
Throughout the long journey, South Park has created diehard fans who have practically memorized the entire run of the series.—
Andy Greene,
Rolling Stone,
7 Jan. 2026
-
Years of posting videos and photos of my kitchen projects have created this reflexive doppelgänger, someone practically unable to cook without the observing eye of an audience.—
The Washington Post,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
7 Jan. 2026
Adverb
-
Döpfner nearly bought the FT in 2015, before losing it to Nikkei, and took a controlling stake in Business Insider — at the top of the new media market — for $343 million.—
Max Tani,
semafor.com,
10 Nov. 2025
-
There’s a close call when Dick opens the cargo door and nearly jumps out of the plane, but Leroy stops him just in time.—
Louis Peitzman,
Vulture,
10 Nov. 2025
Adverb
-
Just about 1% of people 13 and older across the country identify as transgender, according to estimates from the Williams Institute.—
Becca Savransky,
Idaho Statesman,
10 Jan. 2026
-
The aircraft currently offers an endurance of about one hour, providing a range of 60 to 100 miles.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
10 Jan. 2026
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Cite this Entry
“All but.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/all%20but. Accessed 11 Jan. 2026.
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