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
Josipa Majic Predin, Forbes.com, 24 June 2025
If one candidate is the first choice of a majority of voters — more than 50% — that person wins the race outright, just like in a traditional election.
—David B. Caruso, Chicago Tribune, 24 June 2025
Kevin Stankiewicz,morgan Chittum, CNBC, 25 June 2025
This week, Senator Cruz altered the provision slightly, changing it from an outright ban to a stipulation that punishes states which pass AI legislation by withholding broadband expansion funding.
—Andrew R. Chow, Time, 25 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for outright
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.
Adverb
Instead of replacing human workers outright, its increasingly being deployed alongside them—streamlining repetitive tasks while leaving space for judgment, creativity, and relationship-building.
—Josipa Majic Predin, Forbes.com, 24 June 2025
If one candidate is the first choice of a majority of voters — more than 50% — that person wins the race outright, just like in a traditional election.
—David B. Caruso, Chicago Tribune, 24 June 2025
Adjective
This follows media reports last week that management was considering an outright buy or partnering with Perplexity.
—Kevin Stankiewicz,morgan Chittum, CNBC, 25 June 2025
This week, Senator Cruz altered the provision slightly, changing it from an outright ban to a stipulation that punishes states which pass AI legislation by withholding broadband expansion funding.
—Andrew R. Chow, Time, 25 June 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 8 Jul. 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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share