out·right
ˌau̇t-ˈrīt 
1
: in entirety : completely
rejected the proposal outright
outright refuses to cooperate with law enforcement—
Tim Murphy
Tim Murphy2
: 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
out·right
ˈau̇t-ˌrīt
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
Margie Warrell, Forbes, 8 Mar. 2025
Facing a trust crisis Many Americans across the political spectrum viewed pollsters as unreliable, if not outright deceptive, in 2024.
—Clifford Young, The Conversation, 7 Mar. 2025
Omer Awan, Forbes, 7 Mar. 2025
Missed practices leads to rustiness in games, head coach Rick Pitino said Saturday after St. John’s clinched the outright Big East championship with a closer-than-expected 71-61 win over Seton Hall.
—Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 7 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for outright
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Adverb
In fact, a total lack of self-doubt can be outright dangerous, leading to overconfidence, poor decision-making, and blind spots that can undermine success and create a whole lot of suffering for others.
—Margie Warrell, Forbes, 8 Mar. 2025
Facing a trust crisis Many Americans across the political spectrum viewed pollsters as unreliable, if not outright deceptive, in 2024.
—Clifford Young, The Conversation, 7 Mar. 2025
Adjective
Kennedy has previously criticized transparency in the U.S. healthcare system, yet his proposal to eliminate public comments from initiatives is an outright attack on health transparency.
—Omer Awan, Forbes, 7 Mar. 2025
Missed practices leads to rustiness in games, head coach Rick Pitino said Saturday after St. John’s clinched the outright Big East championship with a closer-than-expected 71-61 win over Seton Hall.
—Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 7 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for outright
Cite this Entry
“Outright.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/outright. Accessed 17 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
outright
1 of 2 adverb
out·right
(ˈ)au̇t-ˈrīt
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
1
: being exactly what is stated
an outright lie
2
: given without restriction
an outright gift
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