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
Joe Buscaglia, New York Times, 30 July 2025
Many rigorous scientific findings since 2009 have showed both climate pollution and its warming effects are not just harming public health but killing people outright.
—Andrew Freedman, CNN Money, 29 July 2025
Peter J Reilly, Forbes.com, 31 July 2025
The Planning and Zoning commissioners were uncomfortable with the outright ban, according to Brianna Bustos, spokesperson for Ada County’s development services department.
—Idaho Statesman, 31 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for outright
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show current usage.
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Adverb
Thompson has looked better than expected after suffering a torn Achilles last September, and is making an early push to make the team outright.
—Joe Buscaglia, New York Times, 30 July 2025
Many rigorous scientific findings since 2009 have showed both climate pollution and its warming effects are not just harming public health but killing people outright.
—Andrew Freedman, CNN Money, 29 July 2025
Adjective
That would include not filing at all or large omissions of gross income and outright fraud.
—Peter J Reilly, Forbes.com, 31 July 2025
The Planning and Zoning commissioners were uncomfortable with the outright ban, according to Brianna Bustos, spokesperson for Ada County’s development services department.
—Idaho Statesman, 31 July 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 6 Aug. 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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