to all intents and purposes

Idioms  

1. Also, for all intents and purposes; for all practical purposes. In every practical sense, virtually. For example, For all intents and purposes the case is closed, or For all practical purposes the Vice-President is the chief executive while the President is in the hospital. The first phrase, dating from the 1500s, originated in English law, where it was to all intents, constructions, and purposes. A shorter synonym is in effect, def. 1.

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

to all intents and purposes

Chief executive Dan Finley told the BBC earlier this week it would "operate to all intents and purposes as Debenhams Group".

From BBC ● Jun. 10, 2026

For EPB, this is the standout leading indicator of the economy’s wellbeing and to all intents and purposes, “housing is the business cycle”.

From MarketWatch ● Feb. 18, 2026

Many are looking no further than Bluesky, which has its own origins in Twitter and, to all intents and purposes, acts in a very similar fashion.

From Seattle Times ● Apr. 28, 2023

"Particularly in the advanced economies we are moving into a situation where to all intents and purposes, we're pretty much not looking at continued growth already," said Jackson.

From Reuters ● Aug. 8, 2022

The organism remains viable in the soil for years and therefore be comes to all intents and purposes permanently established, increasing in effectiveness, and being continuously spread by natural agencies.

From "Silent Spring" by Rachel Carson