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be-all and end-alls

noun

plural of be-all and end-all
as in causes
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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Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for be-all and end-alls
  1. causes
  2. determinants
Noun
  • Others, including major philanthropic institutions, have pulled back out of fear of retribution that giving to political or racial justice causes could draw the administration's ire.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 19 Sep. 2026
  • Activists of all ages are organizing events to promote sustainability, biodiversity and other environmental causes.
    — Steve Lopez, Los Angeles Times, 19 Sep. 2026
Definition of causes
Noun
  • Vought responded to these setbacks by proposing new grant funding rules that would make political considerations key determinants in which grants get funded.
    — John Timmer, ArsTechnica, 21 Sep. 2026
  • In their perspective published Saturday in the New England Journal of Medicine, a veterinarian and an oncologist quickly point out the social determinants of health at play in this scenario.
    — Elizabeth Cooney, STAT, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of determinants
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.

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be-all and end-all
be-all and end-alls
beam
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Cite this Entry

“Be-all and end-alls.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/be-all%20and%20end-alls. Accessed 26 Sep. 2026.

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