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
Adrienne Lafrance, The Atlantic, 15 Feb. 2025
When the news announces an all-out Alien attack on the Nation, the girls will have to try their best to survive.
—Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 14 Feb. 2025
Wendy Bowman, Robb Report, 14 Feb. 2025
There appears to be a genuine worry about what could go wrong in the future as opposed to pushing it all out there to win big now.
—Jon MacHota, The Athletic, 13 Feb. 2025
See all Example Sentences for all-out 
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Adjective
Then there was Radner’s wordless dance routine with Steve Martin—in which the pair toggles between all-out slapstick and total earnestness—that remains a higher form of comedy, even 50 years later.
—Adrienne Lafrance, The Atlantic, 15 Feb. 2025
When the news announces an all-out Alien attack on the Nation, the girls will have to try their best to survive.
—Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 14 Feb. 2025
Adverb
Rounding it all out are the private grounds, which host several alfresco spaces ideal for lounging and dining amid the enveloping flora and fauna.
—Wendy Bowman, Robb Report, 14 Feb. 2025
There appears to be a genuine worry about what could go wrong in the future as opposed to pushing it all out there to win big now.
—Jon MacHota, The Athletic, 13 Feb. 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 22 Feb. 2025.
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