1
: made with maximum effort : thoroughgoing
an all-out effort to win the contest
: with full determination or enthusiasm : with maximum effort
—used chiefly in the phrase go all out
Synonyms
Adjective
- absolute
- arrant
- blank
- blooming [chiefly British]
- bodacious [Southern & Midland]
- categorical
- categoric
- clean
- complete
- consummate
- crashing
- damn
- damned
- dead
- deadly
- definite
- downright
- dreadful
- fair
- flat
- flat-out
- out-and-out
- outright
- perfect
- plumb
- profound
- pure
- rank
- regular
- sheer
- simple
- stark
- stone
- straight-out
- thorough
- thoroughgoing
- total
- unadulterated
- unalloyed
- unconditional
- unmitigated
- unqualified
- utter
- very
Adverb
Examples of all-out in a Sentence
Adjective
Grandpa got the all-out support of the family when he decided to remarry at age 72
an all-out effort to break open the door
Adverb
went all out for her New Year's Eve party—she even had fireworks!
Recent Examples on the Web
Cade Onder, Rolling Stone, 25 Oct. 2024
The Biden administration is concerned that a significant Iranian response could lead to an all-out war between Israel and Iran.
—Barak Ravid, Axios, 25 Oct. 2024
Essence, 21 Oct. 2024
From keeping it casual at Friendsgiving to feasting with the entire fam, Thanksgiving is a great excuse to go all out with color and shimmer.
—Bella Cacciatore, Glamour, 15 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for all-out 
Adjective
This sub-franchise is far less focused on all-out warfare and more interested in espionage, honing in on conspiracy-laden takes on history and fictional shadowy operations carried out by the government.
—Cade Onder, Rolling Stone, 25 Oct. 2024
The Biden administration is concerned that a significant Iranian response could lead to an all-out war between Israel and Iran.
—Barak Ravid, Axios, 25 Oct. 2024
Adverb
For those who love the transformative power of makeup, Halloween offers the ideal opportunity to go all out with creativity and imagination.
—Essence, 21 Oct. 2024
From keeping it casual at Friendsgiving to feasting with the entire fam, Thanksgiving is a great excuse to go all out with color and shimmer.
—Bella Cacciatore, Glamour, 15 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for all-out
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'all-out.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near all-out
Cite this Entry
“All-out.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/all-out. Accessed 2 Nov. 2024.
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