outright

1 of 2

adverb

out·​right ˌau̇t-ˈrīt 

1

: in entirety : completely

rejected the proposal outright

outright refuses to cooperate with law enforcement

—Tim Murphy

2

: 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

outright

2 of 2

adjective

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

Synonyms of outright

Adjective

• utter
• unconditional
• sheer
• absolute
• complete
• pure
• total
• simple
• definite

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

Adverb

The Royals improved to 40-59 and won the three-game series against San Diego outright. — Kansas City Star, 19 July 2026

Patterson was later fired outright for his handling of the situation, the Star-Telegram previously reported. — Lillie Davidson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 18 July 2026

Adjective

His reemergence signals that Trump now may support changes to FEMA instead of an outright elimination of the agency. — David A. Lieb, Fortune, 16 July 2026

In Gosha’s case, that involves getting mixed up with gangsters at a seedy nightclub, a sequence that quickly deteriorates from being mildly comical to sinister to outright terrifying by even degrees. — Leslie Felperin, HollywoodReporter, 14 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Adverb

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 5

Adjective

1532, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for outright

• affright
• airtight
• albite
• alight
• alright
• aplite
• aright
• bainite
• birthright
• bobwhite
• bornite
• bullfight

Kids 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