ことごとく

adverb

every one; without exception; entirely

1. every one of them; without exception; utterly

Says that something applied to all members of a set, leaving none out. It is a formal, somewhat literary adverb and most often appears with negative or unfortunate outcomes — plans that all failed, opinions that all clashed.

計画(けいかく)はことごとく失敗(しっぱい)した。

Every one of the plans failed.

彼(かれ)の意見(いけん)は私(わたし)のものとことごとく対立(たいりつ)する。

His opinions clash with mine on every single point.

台風(たいふう)で畑(はたけ)の作物(さくもつ)はことごとくだめになってしまった。

The typhoon ruined every last crop in the field.

Formal and slightly literary; common in writing, news, and speeches, but rare in casual conversation.

Common collocations

ことごとく失敗(しっぱい)する: to fail every time
ことごとく反対(はんたい)する: to oppose at every turn
ことごとく裏切(うらぎ)られる: to be betrayed in every expectation
ことごとく打(う)ち砕(くだ)かれる: to be utterly shattered

Similar words

全(すべ)て: all — the neutral everyday word, with no literary flavor
残(のこ)らず: without leaving any behind — plainer, and used for pleasant outcomes too
一(ひと)つ残(のこ)らず: every last one — emphatic and conversational

Related Words

Compare: 全(すべ)て (all)

Compare: 残(のこ)らず (without leaving any behind)

general

Added 2026.8.20 11:40 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:02

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