to all intents and purposes

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.

Example Sentences

Sturgeon recently announced on behalf of them both that their marriage had ended and that, to all intents and purposes, they had been separated for some time.

Read more on BBC

Kharkiv, the country’s second city, in the high north-east close to Russia, is to all intents and purposes defenceless against air attacks.

Read more on BBC

"While the Chinese origin of the capital coming into Mexico may be uncomfortable for the policies of some countries," he says, "according to international trade legislation, those products are, to all intents and purposes, Mexican".

Read more on BBC

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.

Read more on Seattle Times

"It looks to all intents and purposes like VAT fraud," he said.

Read more on BBC