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
Synonyms
Adjective
- absolute
- all-out
- arrant
- blank
- blooming [chiefly British]
- bodacious [Southern & Midland]
- categorical
- categoric
- clean
- complete
- consummate
- crashing
- damn
- damned
- dead
- deadly
- definite
- downright
- dreadful
- fair
- flat
- flat-out
- out-and-out
- perfect
- plumb
- profound
- pure
- rank
- regular
- sheer
- simple
- stark
- stone
- straight-out
- thorough
- thoroughgoing
- total
- unadulterated
- unalloyed
- unconditional
- unmitigated
- unqualified
- utter
- very
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
Ella McCarthy, Austin American-Statesman, 21 Nov. 2024
That post in question found Harper outright denying Richards’ lawsuit claims that Diddy subjected them to abuse.
—Marc Griffin, VIBE.com, 19 Nov. 2024
David Nour, Forbes, 27 Nov. 2024
Flashback: Carrefour has danced with an outright sale before, but regulators have stifled prior attempts.
—Kimberly Chin, Axios, 26 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for outright 
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Adverb
To win a race outright, candidates must get more than 50% of the vote.
—Ella McCarthy, Austin American-Statesman, 21 Nov. 2024
That post in question found Harper outright denying Richards’ lawsuit claims that Diddy subjected them to abuse.
—Marc Griffin, VIBE.com, 19 Nov. 2024
Adjective
Success journaling offers a constructive outlet to process stress, frustration, anger, disappointments, or outright conflict.
—David Nour, Forbes, 27 Nov. 2024
Flashback: Carrefour has danced with an outright sale before, but regulators have stifled prior attempts.
—Kimberly Chin, Axios, 26 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for outright
Dictionary Entries Near outright
Cite this Entry
“Outright.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/outright. Accessed 30 Nov. 2024.
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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