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Definitions

all but

ADJECTIVE
practically
Synonyms
STRONGEST
approximately basically essentially morally nearly virtually
STRONG
much
WEAK
about as good as as much as close to for all intents and purposes fundamentally in effect in essence most nigh well-nigh
Antonyms
WEAK
far not close
ADVERB
almost
Synonyms
STRONGEST
about approximately around essentially most much practically relatively roughly virtually
STRONG
nigh well-nigh
WEAK
about to as good as bordering on close to close upon for all practical purposes for the greatest part in effect in the neighborhood of in the vicinity of just about near to not far from not quite on the brink of on the edge of on the point of on the verge of pretty near substantially within sight of
ADVERB
just about
Synonyms
WEAK
about approximately around as good as close to nearly nigh not quite practically well-nigh
ADVERB
most
Synonyms
STRONGEST
almost exceedingly much nearly remarkably too very
STRONG
about nigh well-nigh
WEAK
approximately close eminently in the majority mightily practically super surpassingly
Antonyms
STRONGEST
little
WEAK
least
ADVERB
nearly
Synonyms
STRONGEST
approximately practically roughly virtually
STRONG
about closely most well-nigh
WEAK
approaching as good as circa close but no cigar give or take a little in effect in essence in substance in the ballpark in the neighborhood just about more or less much nearabout not quite pretty near round roundly some somewhere upwards of within a little
ADVERB
round
Synonyms
STRONG
around near
WEAK
about almost as good as close to in the neighborhood of just about most nearly practically roughly
Antonyms
WEAK
definite exact precise

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Americans hated the laws, all but one of which was repealed under Adams’s successor, Thomas Jefferson, and the whole episode mars the second president’s otherwise splendid reputation.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 8, 2026

On this night, the mercenaries prevailed, in a pummeling so relentless and a silencing so rapid that a three-peat appeared all but inevitable: Dodgers 14, Blue Jays 2.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 7, 2026

But if the Sky Blues are, indeed, all but up - who will join them in second place?

From BBC • Apr. 6, 2026

Nevertheless, investors should watch Bitcoin through the long weekend with the Middle East situation on a knife edge and market-moving news all but inevitable.

From Barron's • Apr. 3, 2026

The next thing that happened all but caused me to have a jerking spell.

From "Summer of the Monkeys" by Wilson Rawls