as in unlimited
not limited or specialized in application or purpose
there's nothing wrong with all-purpose flour for baking bread, but flour with more gluten is better
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Examples Sentences
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Recent Examples of all-purpose
In fact, a regular all-purpose cleaner might actually leave stainless steel streaky.
—
Katherine McLaughlin, Architectural Digest, 9 Jan. 2025
As terrific as Gibbs was Sunday night — 170 all-purpose yards and four touchdowns — the win over Minnesota was as much about Aaron Glenn’s defense, which met the moment with so much at stake.
—Zak Keefer, The Athletic, 6 Jan. 2025
Other Bad Choices When Cleaning a Kitchen Using the Same Cleaner on Everything
An all-purpose cleaner sounds like a great idea.
—Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 1 Jan. 2025
Nissan chose to shoe the Kicks in a set of all-purpose tires on 17-inch wheels, a smart combination that serves the vehicle well.
—Kristin Shaw, Forbes, 31 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for all-purpose 
Katherine McLaughlin, Architectural Digest, 9 Jan. 2025
As terrific as Gibbs was Sunday night — 170 all-purpose yards and four touchdowns — the win over Minnesota was as much about Aaron Glenn’s defense, which met the moment with so much at stake.
—Zak Keefer, The Athletic, 6 Jan. 2025
Other Bad Choices When Cleaning a Kitchen Using the Same Cleaner on Everything
An all-purpose cleaner sounds like a great idea.
—Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 1 Jan. 2025
Nissan chose to shoe the Kicks in a set of all-purpose tires on 17-inch wheels, a smart combination that serves the vehicle well.
—Kristin Shaw, Forbes, 31 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for all-purpose
Recent Examples of Synonyms for all-purpose
Adjective
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Subscribe now to support our journalism and get unlimited access to our coverage.—
Bilge Ebiri,
Vulture,
18 Jan. 2025
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Additional perks include unlimited access to the Aurea Spa Thermal Suite, 24-hour butler service, concierge services, and VIP entry and exit at all ports of call.—
Elizabeth Heath,
Travel + Leisure,
17 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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Could general manager Brian Cashman go a different route and add another ace by trading for San Diego Padres hurler Dylan Cease?—
Gordon G. Chang,
Newsweek,
26 Jan. 2025
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Philadelphia Eagles general manager Howie Roseman is like the relentless sharp in your fantasy league who always seems a step ahead.—
Ryan Finley,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
26 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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As a general-purpose notebook, the Carbon lacks the specialized speed of a desktop-replacement mobile workstation or gaming rig, but its portability, design, and build quality can't be beaten.—
PCMAG,
PCMAG,
17 Jan. 2025
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Like other general-purpose technologies (GPTs) such as the steam engine and the internet, crypto is embarking on a multi-decade journey to transform economic activity.—
Christian Catalini,
Forbes,
16 Jan. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near all-purpose
Cite this Entry
“All-purpose.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/all-purpose. Accessed 30 Jan. 2025.
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