all 1 of 3

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
Was that what this was all about? T. Coraghessan Boyle, New Yorker, 14 Sep. 2025 Rounding out the regional scorecard are Panama and Honduras, with three investigations and at least one conviction each; and Nicaragua, Dominican Republic, Haiti, Colombia, Venezuela and Chile – all with at least one investigation. Sofía Benavides, CNN Money, 14 Sep. 2025
Adjective
Lamb’s Players Theatre presents this all-new song revue of the musical history of the 1970s. Abby Hamblin, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 Sep. 2025 Ben Hania, her all-Palestinian cast, Phoenix and Mara all wore black and carried a framed photo of 6-year-old Hind Rajab, the film’s subject and a victim of the war in Gaza. Patrick Brzeski, HollywoodReporter, 3 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for all
Recent Examples of Synonyms for all
Adverb
  • In short, The Paper doesn’t quite escape the shadow of its big brother, but that’s just fine with us.
    Michael M. Rosen, The Washington Examiner, 12 Sep. 2025
  • But then Belly scraps her Parisian plans and pledges her young life to Jeremiah, a rising super senior at Finch majoring in getting high and going to Cabo (which, quite honestly, is more age-appropriate than a wedding).
    Vogue, Vogue, 11 Sep. 2025
Adverb
  • California would drop two seats and Illinois and New York would each lose one.
    Ronald J. Hansen, AZCentral.com, 24 Aug. 2025
  • The House and Senate each passed the BBB by razor thin margins with most votes on party lines.
    Martin Shenkman, Forbes.com, 6 July 2025
Adjective
  • On a roller coaster, the theme park commands your full and undivided attention.
    Bianca Bosker, The Atlantic, 14 Sep. 2025
  • Create intentional phone-free brainstorms or strategy sessions where attention is undivided.
    Elan Gepner-Dales, Rolling Stone, 3 Sep. 2025
Adverb
  • Power is delivered through a 9-speed transmission and fully variable all-wheel drive system.
    Mark Ewing, Forbes.com, 14 Sep. 2025
  • After the fire is fully contained, the next step is to control it.
    CA WILDFIRE BOT, Sacbee.com, 13 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • And then there are the wildfires, fueled by hotter and drier conditions, which are now sending massive plumes of smoke across entire continents, spiking emergency visits in places far from the flames.
    Bill Frist, Forbes.com, 18 Sep. 2025
  • Cracker Barrel was forced to write off the entire investment.
    Lily Mae Lazarus, Fortune, 18 Sep. 2025
Adverb
  • Small accents here and there help transition to Halloween for October without needing to completely redecorate once the holiday ends.
    Maria Sabella, Better Homes & Gardens, 17 Sep. 2025
  • Similar to virtual artists like PLAVE and MAVE, the performers will be completely virtual, utilizing the company’s advanced AI technology to create an avatar that will become the idol.
    Laura Sirikul, Forbes.com, 17 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • She's done such an amazing job of becoming a mother and going through a whole year of pregnancy and our first year with Dominic.
    Lydia Mee, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Sep. 2025
  • While a miniature tool or two is advisable to keep in the junk drawer, the whole toolbox definitely doesn’t belong in there, especially as loose tools just floating around amidst clutter.
    Hallie Milstein, Southern Living, 17 Sep. 2025
Adverb
  • Ortega kept her glam perfectly moody, with a low, messy bun, a deep plum lip, and whisper thin eyebrows.
    Kathleen Walsh, Glamour, 14 Sep. 2025
  • Prettygarden One-Shoulder Formal Maxi Dress If you’re headed to a wedding this fall, don’t miss this dress that’s perfectly compact-chic—and currently 45% off.
    Mariana Best, Better Homes & Gardens, 14 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“All.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/all. Accessed 18 Sep. 2025.

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