all-out

[ awl-out ]

/ ˈɔlˌaʊt /

Save This Word!

See synonyms for all-out on Thesaurus.com

adjective

using all one's resources; complete; total: an all-out effort.

OTHER WORDS FOR all-out

unstinting, exhaustive, unremitting.

See synonyms for all-out on Thesaurus.com

QUIZ

CAN YOU ANSWER THESE COMMON GRAMMAR DEBATES?

There are grammar debates that never die; and the ones highlighted in the questions in this quiz are sure to rile everyone up once again. Do you know how to answer the questions that cause some of the greatest grammar debates?

Question 1 of 7

Which sentence is correct?

His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of all-out

1905–10; adj. use of all out utterly, completely, Middle English al out

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use all-out in a sentence

This led to the formation of a Christian militant group to counter the rebels, and all-out sectarian violence exploded.
The Year’s Most Forgotten Humanitarian Crisis|Nina Strochlic|January 1, 2015|DAILY BEAST
In that context, Sotto Sotto was one of the all-out survivors.
The Fiery Death of Sotto Sotto, Toronto’s Celebrity Hotspot|Shinan Govani|December 30, 2014|DAILY BEAST
None, however, have been as all-out cute as this one, a shot-for-shot remake of the teaser with dogs and cats.
'Star Wars' Goes to the Dogs (and Cats)|Alex Chancey, The Daily Beast Video|December 10, 2014|DAILY BEAST
In June, Pakistan launched an all-out military offensive in the region, ostensibly to evict all the militants from the area.
Obama’s Deadly Informants: The Drone Spotters of Pakistan|Umar Farooq, Syed Fakhar Kakakhel|November 12, 2014|DAILY BEAST

Could it be that after holding on to very relative stability during three years of regional tumult, Lebanon now faced all-out war?
Beirut Letter: In Lebanon, Fighting ISIS With Culture and Satire|Kim Ghattas|September 22, 2014|DAILY BEAST
He knew that today, and for years before, nobody had dared start an all-out atomic war.
The Edge of the Knife|Henry Beam Piper
Something as if all-out-doors were cramped and small, and it were better to return to the freedom and amplitude of the interior?
Suburban Sketches|William Dean Howells
Once a war started, no nation could resist the temptation to go all-out.
This Crowded Earth|Robert Bloch
Im going to stick around until the all-out alarm is sounded.
Joan of the Journal|Helen Diehl Olds
Mitch, who wanted to quit an all-out war, reached for the fusing switch.
Way of a Rebel|Walter M. Miller

British Dictionary definitions for all-out

all-out

/ informal /

adjective

using one's maximum powersan all-out effort

adverb all out

to one's maximum effort or capacityhe went all out on the home stretch

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Idioms and Phrases with all-out

all out

With all one's strength, ability, or resources; not holding back. For example, They are going all out to make the fund-raiser a success. This seemingly modern term dates from about 1300, when it meant “completely” or “wholly.” It now refers to making a great effort and is also used adjectivally, as in an all-out effort. This usage became current in America in the late 1800s, with reference to races and other kinds of athletic exertion. In the mid-1900s it gave rise to the phrase to go all out and was transferred to just about any energetic undertaking. Also see go whole hog.

all-out

OTHER WORDS FOR all-out

Origin of all-out

Words related to all-out

How to use all-out in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for all-out

Other Idioms and Phrases with all-out