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
Jon Krawczynski, The Athletic, 10 Jan. 2025
But the answer is also very dependent upon whether the Trump administration engages in an all-out assault on renewable energy.
—John Timmer, Ars Technica, 9 Jan. 2025
Jay Ginsbach, Forbes, 4 Jan. 2025
Today, Mardi Gras is seen as a chance to go all out and party before the solemn period of Lent.
—Olivia Munson, USA TODAY, 3 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for all-out 
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show current usage.
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Adjective
The Los Angeles defense plays a completely different style from Detroit — less man coverage, fewer all-out pressures — but its pass rushers can still affect a quarterback’s timing and comfort.
—Jon Krawczynski, The Athletic, 10 Jan. 2025
But the answer is also very dependent upon whether the Trump administration engages in an all-out assault on renewable energy.
—John Timmer, Ars Technica, 9 Jan. 2025
Adverb
Lions coach Dan Campbell decided to go all out in last week’s Monday Night Football game at San Francisco in a game Detroit did not have to win.
—Jay Ginsbach, Forbes, 4 Jan. 2025
Today, Mardi Gras is seen as a chance to go all out and party before the solemn period of Lent.
—Olivia Munson, USA TODAY, 3 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for all-out
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 15 Jan. 2025.
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