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
Claire Carter, The Washington Examiner, 22 Apr. 2026
That achievement warrants serious consideration for a Special Achievement Award, if not a place on the ballot outright.
—Clayton Davis, Variety, 21 Apr. 2026
Lee Ying Shan, CNBC, 14 Apr. 2026
Despite Hezbollah’s outright rejection, the talks are a major step for two countries with no diplomatic relations that have been officially at war since Israel’s inception in 1948.
—Kareem Chehayeb, Los Angeles Times, 14 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for outright
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Adverb
Critics argue that the policy effectively creates a permanent class of adults who are denied the legal right to purchase a product that remains available to older citizens, raising fairness concerns, and adding that the government should ban smoking outright or not at all.
—Claire Carter, The Washington Examiner, 22 Apr. 2026
That achievement warrants serious consideration for a Special Achievement Award, if not a place on the ballot outright.
—Clayton Davis, Variety, 21 Apr. 2026
Adjective
Its official gold holdings dropped by 131 tons in March through swaps and outright sales as authorities sought to stabilize the lira, according to a report published by Metals Focus last Thursday.
—Lee Ying Shan, CNBC, 14 Apr. 2026
Despite Hezbollah’s outright rejection, the talks are a major step for two countries with no diplomatic relations that have been officially at war since Israel’s inception in 1948.
—Kareem Chehayeb, Los Angeles Times, 14 Apr. 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 23 Apr. 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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