all-out

1 of 2

adjective

1
: made with maximum effort : thoroughgoing
an all-out effort to win the contest
2

all out

2 of 2

adverb

: with full determination or enthusiasm : with maximum effort
used chiefly in the phrase go all out

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
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.
Adjective
Photo : Lürssen ‘Octopus’ (413 feet, 3 inches) 2003 Octopus is one of the first and largest examples of an all-out exploration vessel. Julia Zaltzman, Robb Report, 12 Dec. 2024 Despite the uncertainty around TikTok’s future, business owners are forging ahead with all-out Live sessions in the weeks leading up to Christmas. Andrea Chang, Los Angeles Times, 12 Dec. 2024
Adverb
With over 17 million pieces of mail and packages, some virtually unreadable due to being discarded and left to rot, these women were shipped overseas from America to sort it all out. Pete Hammond, Deadline, 6 Dec. 2024 Trump’s nominee is going all out to save his nomination and has struck a defiant tone. Niall Stanage, The Hill, 4 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for all-out 

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1893, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adverb

1840, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of all-out was in 1840

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 22 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

all-out

1 of 2 adjective
ˈȯ-ˈlau̇t
: made with maximum effort : extreme
an all-out attempt to finish on time

all out

2 of 2 adverb
: with maximum effort
went all out to win

More from Merriam-Webster on all-out

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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