outsider

noun

out·​sid·​er ˌau̇t-ˈsī-dər How to pronounce outsider (audio)
ˈau̇t-ˌsī-
Synonyms of outsidernext
1
: a person who does not belong to a particular group
2
chiefly British : a contender not expected to win
outsiderness noun

Synonyms

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Examples of outsider in a Sentence

To outsiders, the ritual may seem strange. She felt like an outsider in her new school. An outsider defeated the champion! She was a rank outsider who managed to win.
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.
These experiments, interspersed with short spells in power for the more conventional parties of the center-left, show an electorate drawn to stronger and stronger versions of outsider posturing and populist extremism. — Moisés Naím, The Atlantic, 25 Mar. 2025 Few outsiders have gotten a glimpse of Stardust’s plans, and the company has not publicly released details about its technology, its business model, or exactly who works at its company. — Ramin Skibba, WIRED, 22 Mar. 2025 Cultural Appropriation & Identity: Questions of who can claim Japanese culture and how it should be presented to outsiders run throughout. — Martine Paris, Forbes, 20 Mar. 2025 Of course, there’s also the possibility that the district will want to bring in an outsider (played by a Big Name Guest Star), given the recent scandal at Abbott. — Vlada Gelman, TVLine, 19 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for outsider

Word History

First Known Use

1800, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of outsider was in 1800

Rhymes for outsider

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Browse Nearby Words

outside quire
outsider
outsider art
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Cite this Entry

“Outsider.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/outsider. Accessed 31 Mar. 2025.

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Kids Definition

outsider

noun
out·​sid·​er (ˈ)au̇t-ˈsīd-ər How to pronounce outsider (audio)
: a person who does not belong to a particular group

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