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
Charlotte Observer, 6 May 2026
Forty-four percent of Gen Z workers admit to actively sabotaging their company’s AI rollout by entering proprietary data into public tools, refusing to use AI outright, or intentionally producing low-quality AI outputs to make the technology look ineffective.
—Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 4 May 2026
Riley Bunch, AJC.com, 6 May 2026
Sargeant joined Ford at the start of this year as one of three drivers for its new Hypercar team, which will debut in 2027 and give him the chance to fight for outright victories.
—Luke Smith, New York Times, 6 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for outright
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Adverb
Stein has urged the commission to reject the $800 million fuel-cost request outright.
—Charlotte Observer, 6 May 2026
Forty-four percent of Gen Z workers admit to actively sabotaging their company’s AI rollout by entering proprietary data into public tools, refusing to use AI outright, or intentionally producing low-quality AI outputs to make the technology look ineffective.
—Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 4 May 2026
Adjective
Three midwives who face financial barriers or outright bans on practicing in Georgia are suing the state, hoping to overturn the state’s restrictive midwifery laws.
—Riley Bunch, AJC.com, 6 May 2026
Sargeant joined Ford at the start of this year as one of three drivers for its new Hypercar team, which will debut in 2027 and give him the chance to fight for outright victories.
—Luke Smith, New York Times, 6 May 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 10 May. 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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