as in cause
the most important part of something or the reason for something
He acts as if making money is the be-all and end-all of human existence.
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Recent Examples of be-all and end-all
Although a loss to the Bills would drop those chances to 25 percent, the outcome of Thursday’s game is not the be-all and end-all.
—
Nicole Yang, BostonGlobe.com, 30 Nov. 2022
Deficit reduction was the be-all and end-all of fiscal policy.
—Martin Sullivan, Forbes, 11 Oct. 2022
Growth is the be-all and end-all of mainstream economic and political thinking.
—David Marchesephoto Illustration By Bráulio Amado, New York Times, 17 July 2022
But companies should be wary of treating cyber insurance as the be-all and end-all of protection against attacks, Evans warns.
—Rishi Iyengar, CNN, 23 Mar. 2022
See All Example Sentences for be-all and end-all
Nicole Yang, BostonGlobe.com, 30 Nov. 2022
Deficit reduction was the be-all and end-all of fiscal policy.
—Martin Sullivan, Forbes, 11 Oct. 2022
Growth is the be-all and end-all of mainstream economic and political thinking.
—David Marchesephoto Illustration By Bráulio Amado, New York Times, 17 July 2022
But companies should be wary of treating cyber insurance as the be-all and end-all of protection against attacks, Evans warns.
—Rishi Iyengar, CNN, 23 Mar. 2022
See All Example Sentences for be-all and end-all
Recent Examples of Synonyms for be-all and end-all
Noun
-
Jeff's caretaker told CBS News Sacramento that he was found dead last weekend but the coroner has not officially released his name or cause of death.—
James Taylor,
CBS News,
18 Apr. 2026
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Without this context, stories are more akin to ad copy for a seemingly noble cause than neutral, helpful reporting.—
U T Editorial Board,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
17 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Moreover, since the risk of contracting HIV is closely linked to the social determinants of health, such as having safe and stable housing and employment, barriers to HIV testing could further widen health gaps.—
Nathaniel M. Tran,
The Conversation,
10 Apr. 2026
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High blood pressure is treatable, but despite having access to effective and affordable medications, more than half of Americans still have uncontrolled hypertension, with rates going up in sync with adverse social determinants of health.—
Elizabeth Cooney,
STAT,
8 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Be-all and end-all.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/be-all%20and%20end-all. Accessed 23 Apr. 2026.
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