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
Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 17 Dec. 2025
Remaining funds can be rolled into a Roth individual retirement account, transferred to another family member, used for student loan repayment or withdrawn outright.
—Natalie Wu, CNBC, 17 Dec. 2025
Gabrielle Fonrouge, CNBC, 19 Dec. 2025
According to the report, this gave him an elevated status at work, with many of his colleagues noting that Epstein rarely faced consequences for mistakes or outright company defraudment.
—Ct Jones, Rolling Stone, 17 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for outright
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show current usage.
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Adverb
Foundation plans to lease its robots rather than sell them outright.
—Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 17 Dec. 2025
Remaining funds can be rolled into a Roth individual retirement account, transferred to another family member, used for student loan repayment or withdrawn outright.
—Natalie Wu, CNBC, 17 Dec. 2025
Adjective
At the time Claire's increased its orders again, the company was running out of cash, considering outright liquidation and looking for a buyer to save its business, according to a declaration Claire's CEO Chris Cramer filed with the court after the company filed for bankruptcy.
—Gabrielle Fonrouge, CNBC, 19 Dec. 2025
According to the report, this gave him an elevated status at work, with many of his colleagues noting that Epstein rarely faced consequences for mistakes or outright company defraudment.
—Ct Jones, Rolling Stone, 17 Dec. 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 25 Dec. 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
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