full-scale

adjective

ˈfu̇l-ˌskāl 

1

: identical to an original in proportion and size

full-scale drawing

2

a

: involving full use of available resources

a full-scale biography

full-scale war

b

: total, complete

a full-scale musical renaissance

—Current Biography

Synonyms

• all-out
• clean
• complete
• comprehensive
• exhaustive
• out-and-out
• thorough
• thoroughgoing
• total

Examples of full-scale in a Sentence

a full-scale search and rescue for the victims of the rock slide

Recent Examples on the Web

The coming days will determine whether diplomacy can salvage the truce or if full-scale hostilities will return. —Justin Gest, Newsweek, 11 Feb. 2025

That meant that just a few months after Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, all three countries were able to stop buying electricity from Moscow. —Clare Sebastian, CNN, 7 Feb. 2025

Russia has already suffered more than 750,000 casualties since the beginning of the full-scale invasion, including 120,000 to 200,000 soldiers killed. —Andrew Kosenko, Foreign Affairs, 5 Feb. 2025

The Islamic Republic and Israel launched direct strikes against each other’s territory twice last year, raising fears that the Middle East would descend into a full-scale regional war. —Spencer Kimball, CNBC, 5 Feb. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1887, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

full-scale

adjective

ˈfu̇l-ˈskā(ə)l

1

: identical to an original in size

2

: not limited in any way : using everything that can be used

a full-scale war