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
-
The budget proposed by the mayor this spring prioritizes firefighting, law enforcement and infrastructure projects — requiring significant cuts almost everywhere else.—
David Garrick,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
29 May 2026 -
Fortified wines like sweet and dry vermouth, sherry, Marsala, Madeira, and port last almost indefinitely unopened.—
Kait Hanson,
Southern Living,
29 May 2026
Adverb
-
After a pair of curveballs missed up in the zone, Rathbun laced a fastball that practically dented the right field wall.—
Troy Renck,
Denver Post,
31 May 2026
-
That level of dominance in both chances and results is practically unprecedented in the analytics era.—
Dom Luszczyszyn,
New York Times,
31 May 2026
Adverb
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The White House has asked for nearly $2 billion in next year’s budget for R&D and advance procurement of the Defiant class.—
Editorial,
Boston Herald,
30 May 2026
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At its height nearly 20 years ago, India’s leader described the Maoists as the country’s biggest internal security threat, a blight on its status as the world’s largest democracy and its aspirations of becoming a global power.—
Dhruv Tikekar,
CNN Money,
30 May 2026
Adverb
-
Environmental justice, transit and housing advocates warned the changes gut the program’s core mission, slash auction revenue by about $2 billion a year and jeopardize frontline climate and public-health protections.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
30 May 2026
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About 2,200 people live within a mile of Tesla’s Fremont facility, about 10 times less than those within a mile of GKN, according to the EPA’s data.—
Jason Henry,
Oc Register,
30 May 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 5 Jun. 2026.
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