all-but
Very close to
All-but means almost or nearly, emphasizing how close something comes to a complete state: The species is all-but extinct.
The hyphen signals it functions as a single modifier before a noun: an all-but impossible task.
Without the hyphen, the phrase can mean everyone or everything except: All but one voted yes.
Short of completely
- nearlyAlmost but incomplete
- practicallyAlmost but not quite
- virtuallyNearly but not quite
- just aboutNearly but not entirely
as good as · in effect · effectively · essentially · within reach · not quite · close to · approaching
almost
Short of completely
- nearlyAlmost but incomplete
- practicallyAlmost but not quite
- virtuallyNearly but not quite
just about · as good as · in effect · effectively · essentially · within reach · not quite · close to · approaching · nigh
except for
Not including
excluding · minus · sans · lacking · short of · with the exception of
all-butdefinitively
With final authority
categorically · unequivocally · without exception · unconditionally · outright