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by all odds

by all odds

1 6.9
Very likely and without any doubt
  • idiom
: sin duda
  • These Stone Walls, an extraordinary website that by all odds should not exist.

Examples

  • But by all odds, the dominating figure at Munich was the German host, Adolf Hitler.

    Blog text (21)
  • By all odds, it will remain so.

    Academic text (2009)
  • I spent some time last month poking around inside These Stone Walls, an extraordinary website that by all odds should not exist.

    Blog text (32)
  • He wrote: "It is by all odds the loftiest of cities."

    Academic text (2006)
  • By all odds, he will win the election this time.

  • It is by all odds the best movie I have ever seen.

  • The team will, by all odds, secure the championship this year.

Synonyms

absolutely
vsby all odds
∞ 1.0

Completely and without any doubt

is focused on certainty without stressing complete totality
definitely
vsby all odds
∞ 1.0

To say that something is true without any doubt

is a general certainty but less about firm belief tone
surely
vsby all odds
∞ 1.0

Without any doubt

is a general certainty rather than expressing confident expectation
for sure
vsby all odds
  • Informal
700 2.0

Without any doubt

is a more neutral expression of certainty rather than informal tone
easily
vsby all odds
174 1.0

Clearly and by a lot

is general certainty rather than stressing clear obviousness
undoubtedly
vsby all odds
156 3.5

Without any doubt

is a broader expression of certainty rather than emphasising proof
for certain
vsby all odds
104 1.3

To be completely sure and have no doubt

is a plain claim of certainty without the emphatic feel
decidedly
vsby all odds
56 3.9

In a clear way that leaves no doubt

is a straightforward certainty rather than a strong clear declaration
emphatically
vsby all odds
38 5.5

In a strong, definite way that shows no doubt

is a calmer statement of certainty rather than forceful emphasis
undeniably
vsby all odds
29 4.4

In a clear way that leaves no doubt

expresses simple certainty instead of insisting on denial impossibility
unquestionably
vsby all odds
26 3.7

Without any doubt

is a more general way to say something is certain
doubtless
vsby all odds
24 3.7

In a way that is certain

is a more general way to say something is certain
assuredly
vsby all odds
19 4.7

Without any doubt and with confidence

is ordinary certainty without the same confident assurance tone
beyond a doubt
vsby all odds
7 3.0

Completely sure with no chance of being wrong

is a plain expression of certainty rather than claiming no possible doubt
indisputably
vsby all odds
7 5.4

In a way that is clearly true and cannot be doubted

is ordinary certainty rather than stressing unchallengeable status
without doubt
vsby all odds
7 2.3

Says that something is certainly true

is a standard certainty phrase rather than an emphatic claim
indubitably
vsby all odds
  • Formal
3 8.6

Clearly and without doubt

is general certainty expressed without highly formal tone
inarguably
vsby all odds
3 6.8

Clearly true and cannot be denied

is a general claim of certainty, not focused on argument resistance
doubtlessly
vsby all odds
3 4.6

In a way that shows there is no doubt

is a broad certainty that can be more formal or neutral
unarguably
vsby all odds
1 6.1

It is clearly true and cannot be doubted

is ordinary certainty rather than highlighting dispute immunity
undisputedly
vsby all odds
1 5.8

Clearly and without any doubt

is a usual assertion of certainty rather than noting lack of dispute

Antonyms

4 3.8

In a way that shows you are not sure and have little confidence

1 6.1

In a way that seems dishonest or not trustworthy

How Certain

by all odds
1 6.9
certainly
∞ 1.0
surely
∞ 1.0

Surface Forms

by all odds positive

Morphology

by + all + odds

The noun 'odds' refers to probability and 'by all' suggests 'according to all (considerations)', so a learner could plausibly infer a sense of high likelihood from the parts. However, the expression's idiomatic force ('without any doubt' or 'certainly') and its somewhat formal/less common usage are not fully predictable from the constituents alone, so a B1 learner would not reliably derive the exact meaning without exposure.

Etymology

By all odds may come from old betting: odds are the 'chances' of something happening. So if something is true by all odds, it would win every bet and means 'certain' or 'without any doubt'.