ALL BUT Synonyms: 47 Similar and Opposite Words

all but

adverb

Definition of all but

as in almost

very close to but not completely dinner is all but on the table, so don't go anywhere

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for all but

Adverb

The six highest-earning clubs in England have remained the same for almost two decades and continue to enjoy far greater matchday and commercial revenues than the rest.

— Chris Weatherspoon, New York Times, 12 Aug. 2026
Count Michael King among those who almost expected a step back, akin to what Casey Mize endured after waiting 10 days before turning in the worst start of his career in his Padres debut in Arizona.

— Jeff Sanders, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 Aug. 2026

Definition of almost

Adverb

The whole thing was practically shot, which was pretty big for a first-time filmmaker — to be pushing the practical shooting of it all.

— Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 15 Aug. 2026
Coal, which accounted for about 80% of electricity in 2000, provided just 55% in 2025, while wind and solar rose to around 20% from practically nothing over that period.

— The Week UK, TheWeek, 15 Aug. 2026

Definition of practically

Adverb

Korean trash cans Seoul is a city of nearly 10 million people, but there are just 7,000 public trash cans on its streets.

— Maureen O'Hare, CNN Money, 15 Aug. 2026
Barron, last year’s first-round pick, nearly had a second interception minutes later, but the ball squirted through his hands.

— Nick Kosmider, New York Times, 15 Aug. 2026

Definition of nearly

Adverb

Back on the job the morning after the alert was lifted, Isidro threw a rope over an avocado tree about 20 feet (6 meters) high and climbed up.

— ABC News, ABC News, 16 Aug. 2026
At the time of her disappearance, the teen was about five feet tall and weighed approximately 100 pounds.

— Amanda Musa, CNN Money, 16 Aug. 2026

Definition of about

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Browse Nearby Words

allays

all but

all clear

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“All but.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/all%20but. Accessed 18 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of all but

adverb

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster on all but

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

oxymoron

Popular in Grammar & Usage

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Do you 'say your piece' or 'say your peace'?

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Popular in Wordplay

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

Is “GIF” Pronounced “Jiff” or “Giff”?

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Popular

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List

Games & Quizzes