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
Natalie Krebs, Outdoor Life, 21 Mar. 2025
After Ukraine agreed to the ceasefire, Russia did not reject it outright, but Putin has raised several objections that could scuttle it.
—Dave Goldiner, New York Daily News, 18 Mar. 2025
Kara Fellows, CBS News, 19 Mar. 2025
That solution avoids legal and financial complications associated with outright confiscating the money and giving it it to Ukraine.
—David McHugh, TIME, 18 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for outright
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show current usage.
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Adverb
The agency avoided saying outright that federal officials killed the collared wolf.
—Natalie Krebs, Outdoor Life, 21 Mar. 2025
After Ukraine agreed to the ceasefire, Russia did not reject it outright, but Putin has raised several objections that could scuttle it.
—Dave Goldiner, New York Daily News, 18 Mar. 2025
Adjective
The scams ranged from outright fake businesses to legitimate accounts that had been hacked or hijacked.
—Kara Fellows, CBS News, 19 Mar. 2025
That solution avoids legal and financial complications associated with outright confiscating the money and giving it it to Ukraine.
—David McHugh, TIME, 18 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 26 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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