1
as in utter
having no exceptions or restrictions
an out-and-out cheater at every game she plays her story is not just an exaggeration, it's an out-and-out lie
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in thorough
trying all possibilities
mounted an out-and-out effort to find the lost child
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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.
Recent Examples of out-and-out
But no one has just been out-and-out hostile to him.
—
Matthew Stolle, Twin Cities, 28 Jan. 2026
More than 550 people attended to cheer on the eclectic group of trailblazers, stars and out-and-out icons.
—Sal Pizarro, Mercury News, 8 Nov. 2025
The Conjuring is an out-and-out masterpiece that introduced Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga’s versions of real-life ghostbusters Ed and Lorraine Warren and inaugurated what would become horror’s first $2 billion franchise.
—Damon Wise, Deadline, 30 Oct. 2025
There was out-and-out enslavement, of Native Americans and Africans; there were onerous tribute demands and a labor corvée called the repartimiento.
—Greg Grandin
september 23, Literary Hub, 23 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for out-and-out
Matthew Stolle, Twin Cities, 28 Jan. 2026
More than 550 people attended to cheer on the eclectic group of trailblazers, stars and out-and-out icons.
—Sal Pizarro, Mercury News, 8 Nov. 2025
The Conjuring is an out-and-out masterpiece that introduced Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga’s versions of real-life ghostbusters Ed and Lorraine Warren and inaugurated what would become horror’s first $2 billion franchise.
—Damon Wise, Deadline, 30 Oct. 2025
There was out-and-out enslavement, of Native Americans and Africans; there were onerous tribute demands and a labor corvée called the repartimiento.
—Greg Grandin
september 23, Literary Hub, 23 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for out-and-out
Recent Examples of Synonyms for out-and-out
Adjective
-
After letting the final Bosnian penalty slip under his reach on Tuesday, Italy goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma remained on his knees, putting his hands on his head in utter disbelief.—
Ben Church,
CNN Money,
1 Apr. 2026
-
The transition from agricultural employment to factory employment involved wrenching mass migration, the utter misery of the Great Depression (as well as other brutal recessions, now faded from collective memory), and the painful dealmaking of the New Deal.—
Annie Lowrey,
The Atlantic,
25 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Those needs are likely to mean a more thorough dive into the transfer portal and additional exploration of the Canadian major junior leagues — two areas where Motzko’s program did not play very often.—
Jess Myers,
Twin Cities,
4 Apr. 2026
-
Not just a quick pass with a vacuum, but a real, thorough clean — especially when the seasons change.—
Lauren Jarvis-Gibson,
Miami Herald,
4 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
On the Base — the area above the sheer cliffs that encircle Tristan and below Queen Mary’s Peak — a group herds sheep down from the mountain.—
NPR,
NPR,
4 Apr. 2026
-
What’s harder to recreate — especially with today’s labor and materials costs — is the level of craftsmanship and the sheer weight of the build, Sadek said.—
David Caraccio
April 4,
Sacbee.com,
4 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
The second-floor galleries dedicated to Arts of Asia and the Islamic world were realized after extensive construction, and the Great Hall was renovated in 2016, among other projects.—
News Desk,
Artforum,
3 Apr. 2026
-
After years of silently suffering extensive mental and physical abuse as well as threats of retaliation, Taylor is finally gaining the strength to face her accuser and taking steps to ensure that she and her children are protected from any further harm.—
Liza Esquibias,
PEOPLE,
3 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
The filmmaker ultimately sees it as a story about unconditional love.—
Patrick Ryan,
USA Today,
4 Apr. 2026
-
To that effect, partners today called for the immediate and unconditional reopening of the Strait and respect for the fundamental principles of freedom of navigation and the law of the sea.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
2 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
The Easter holiday wouldn't be complete without an egg hunt, and one church in Northern Colorado has a unique way to celebrate.—
Holly Santman,
CBS News,
6 Apr. 2026
-
Eleven months later, the transfer of knowledge is complete, and the girls emerge from the basement, equipped with their new powers, just as their family falls apart.—
Kristen Roupenian,
New Yorker,
6 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
These are the absolute best bonds.—
Rita Perwich,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
4 Apr. 2026
-
But this team’s elite farm system — perhaps the absolute top in the NHL — will provide exactly that in the years to come.—
Dieter Kurtenbach,
Mercury News,
3 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
The result was a sweeping set of reforms that Boston’s political leadership pledged to implement.—
Ed Gaskin,
Boston Herald,
4 Apr. 2026
-
Collegiate sports’ historic overhaul hit another peak when the President of the United States issued a sweeping 10-page executive order intended to bring order and stability.—
Mike Griffith,
AJC.com,
4 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Out-and-out.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/out-and-out. Accessed 8 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
