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
Brian J. Rogal, Chicago Tribune, 2 Mar. 2026
Candidates in Texas primaries must get more than 50% of the vote to win outright; if not, the top two vote-getters proceed to a runoff.
—Oren Oppenheim, ABC News, 2 Mar. 2026
Michael Marot, Chicago Tribune, 3 Mar. 2026
Director William Friedkin’s film has been lauded for its gritty realism, morally grey (or perhaps outright bankrupt) anti-hero and its revolutionary chase sequences that inspire filmmakers to this day.
—Paul Fitzgerald, Rolling Stone, 3 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for outright
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Adverb
Several people at the meeting asked why Emanuel Congregation didn’t just sell the land outright and find a new home.
—Brian J. Rogal, Chicago Tribune, 2 Mar. 2026
Candidates in Texas primaries must get more than 50% of the vote to win outright; if not, the top two vote-getters proceed to a runoff.
—Oren Oppenheim, ABC News, 2 Mar. 2026
Adjective
The Hoosiers also won their first outright Big Ten crown since 1945, beat Miami on its home field to claim the national title and shed the label of having the most all-time losses in FBS history.
—Michael Marot, Chicago Tribune, 3 Mar. 2026
Director William Friedkin’s film has been lauded for its gritty realism, morally grey (or perhaps outright bankrupt) anti-hero and its revolutionary chase sequences that inspire filmmakers to this day.
—Paul Fitzgerald, Rolling Stone, 3 Mar. 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 7 Mar. 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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