all but

adverb

Definition of all butnext
as in almost
very close to but not completely dinner is all but on the table, so don't go anywhere

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for all but
  1. almost
  2. practically
  3. nearly
  4. about
Adverb
  • Get ready for a day that feels almost as wild as the land itself.
    — Condé Nast Traveler, Condé Nast Traveler, 5 Aug. 2026
  • The franchise that would redefine reality television began almost by accident.
    — Maer Roshan, HollywoodReporter, 4 Aug. 2026
Definition of almost
Adverb
  • Fetterman and McCormick even launched a joint fundraising committee, practically unheard-of for senators from different parties.
    — Burgess Everett, semafor.com, 31 July 2026
  • The jokes practically wrote themselves as an eclectic group of progressive pastors, imams and a rabbi walked into a room, finding their seats around a table to talk about religion and politics.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 31 July 2026
Definition of practically
Adverb
  • Jaime Diez, a veteran immigration attorney based in Brownsville, Texas, recently had almost 20 cases called in one day, nearly 10 times his previously normal pace.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 1 Aug. 2026
  • The optics became nearly as problematic as the financial structure itself.
    — Clemente Lisi, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2026
Definition of nearly
Adverb
  • Use the handle of a wooden spoon to poke holes all over cake, about 1-inch apart.
    — Erin Merhar, Southern Living, 2 Aug. 2026
  • The Fairview Fire was estimated at about 979 acres and remains a fast-moving threat, according to firefighters.
    — Martin Goillandeau, CNN Money, 2 Aug. 2026
Definition of about
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.

Browse Nearby Words

allays
all but
all clear
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“All but.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/all%20but. Accessed 6 Aug. 2026.

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