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Definitions

for all intents and purposes

ADJECTIVE
practically
Synonyms
STRONGEST
approximately basically essentially morally nearly virtually
STRONG
much
WEAK
about all but as good as as much as close to fundamentally in effect in essence most nigh well-nigh
Antonyms
WEAK
far not close
ADVERB
ostensibly
Synonyms
STRONGEST
evidently officially seemingly supposedly
WEAK
at first blush externally for show on the face on the surface outwardly professedly sensibly superficially to the eye
Antonyms
WEAK
improbably obscurely unlikely
ADVERB
outwardly
Synonyms
STRONGEST
seemingly superficially
STRONG
externally
WEAK
apparently as far as one can see evidently in appearance officially on the face of it on the surface ostensibly professedly to the eye
Antonyms
WEAK
inside internally inwardly privately
ADVERB
virtually
Synonyms
STRONGEST
basically essentially nearly practically
WEAK
around as good as effectually fundamentally give or take a little guesstimate implicitly in all but name in effect in essence in substance in the ballpark in the neighborhood morally not absolutely not actually something like upwards of

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.

In other words, for all intents and purposes Mr. Burger was a third author.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 13, 2026

“The consumer, for all intents and purposes, pays the tariff,” it added.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 12, 2026

So, yes, for all intents and purposes, the Golden Globes are back.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 8, 2025

In 1970, Badfinger’s manager Bill Collins turned over the reins to Stan Polley, a shrewd negotiator who, for all intents and purposes, seemed to be the hard-nosed advocate the band sorely needed.

From Salon • Dec. 17, 2024

Oh, and I also talk to Rascal next door, who, for all intents and purposes, is a horse, but yeah right.

From "I'll Give You the Sun" by Jandy Nelson

From Roget's 21st Century Thesaurus, Third Edition Copyright © 2013 by the Philip Lief Group.