outright

1 of 2

adverb

out·​right ˌau̇t-ˈrīt How to pronounce outright (audio)
1
: in entirety : completely
rejected the proposal outright
outright refuses to cooperate with law enforcementTim Murphy
2
: on the spot : instantaneously
was killed outright
3
: without lien (see lien sense 1) or encumbrance (see encumbrance sense 2)
purchased the property outright for cash
4
: without restraint or reservation
laughed outright
cried outright
5
archaic : straight ahead : directly

outright

2 of 2

adjective

out·​right ˈau̇t-ˌrīt How to pronounce outright (audio)
1
a
: being completely or exactly what is stated
an outright lie
b
: given without reservation
outright grants for research
c
: made without encumbrance or lien
an outright sale
2
archaic : proceeding directly onward
outrightly adverb

Examples of outright in a Sentence

Adverb She won the competition outright. The painting is now owned outright by the museum. Their house was destroyed outright by the fire. I bought the car outright. Adjective I was surprised by their outright rejection of the idea.
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Adverb
Many artists began using aliases (and particularly ones that constantly changed) on Instagram, while others resisted censorship outright. Rebecca Ruth Gould, JSTOR Daily, 9 Apr. 2025 But many legal experts believe the Trump administration will prompt the court to outright disavow the decades-old decision. Zach Schonfeld, The Hill, 9 Apr. 2025
Adjective
The responses ranged from mildly annoying to outright bizarre, highlighting just how many ways tension can brew between property lines. David Faris, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 Apr. 2025 Gilmore said city leaders taking more time to consider how to deal with an outright ban shouldn’t be an issue. Jesse Wright, Chicago Tribune, 11 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for outright

Word History

First Known Use

Adverb

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 5

Adjective

1532, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of outright was in the 14th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Outright.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/outright. Accessed 23 Apr. 2025.

Kids Definition

outright

1 of 2 adverb
out·​right (ˈ)au̇t-ˈrīt How to pronounce outright (audio)
1
a
: in entirety : completely
sold outright
b
: without holding back
laughed outright
2
: on the spot : instantaneously
killed outright

outright

2 of 2 adjective
out·​right ˈau̇t-ˌrīt How to pronounce outright (audio)
1
: being exactly what is stated
an outright lie
2
: given without restriction
an outright gift

More from Merriam-Webster on outright

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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