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
—used to make a statement more forceful
That is 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
Arkansas Online, 9 Feb. 2026
This means many of his supporters already have mortgages with low rates or own their homes outright, possibly blunting the importance of housing as an issue.
—Josh Boak, Denver Post, 8 Feb. 2026
Jason Ma, Fortune, 9 Feb. 2026
Recently, Shapiro has gone into attack mode against some of his fellow MAGA media stars, including Tucker Carlson, for their indulgence, if not outright support, of antisemites like Nick Fuentes.
—David Remnick, New Yorker, 6 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for outright
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Adverb
This means many of his supporters already have mortgages with low rates or own their homes outright, possibly blunting the importance of housing as an issue.
—Arkansas Online, 9 Feb. 2026
This means many of his supporters already have mortgages with low rates or own their homes outright, possibly blunting the importance of housing as an issue.
—Josh Boak, Denver Post, 8 Feb. 2026
Adjective
But in regions where housing supply grew the most during the pandemic-era construction boom, home prices are in outright decline.
—Jason Ma, Fortune, 9 Feb. 2026
Recently, Shapiro has gone into attack mode against some of his fellow MAGA media stars, including Tucker Carlson, for their indulgence, if not outright support, of antisemites like Nick Fuentes.
—David Remnick, New Yorker, 6 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for outright
Cite this Entry
“Outright.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/outright. Accessed 14 Feb. 2026.
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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