shut·out
ˈshət-ˌau̇t 
1
: a game or contest in which one side fails to score
2
: a preemptive bid in bridge
shut out; shutting out; shuts out
1
: exclude
2
: to prevent (an opponent) from scoring in a game or contest
3
: to forestall the bidding of (bridge opponents) by making a high or preemptive bid
Synonyms
Examples of shutout in a Sentence
Noun
They beat us in a 9–0 shutout.
Verb
local residents feel that they have been shut out of the debate for expanding the airport
Recent Examples on the Web
Mark Heim | Mheim@al.com, al, 9 Sep. 2023
The victory marked the program’s first 2-0 start since 2017 and first shutout since beating Syracuse 30-0 on Nov. 20, 2020.
—Alexis Cubit, The Courier-Journal, 8 Sep. 2023
It’s gone exceedingly well so far for the Reapers (2-0) — a 33-20 win over Ottawa and a 29-0 shutout of Manteno going into Friday’s conference showdown with Sandwich (2-0).
—Paul Johnson, Chicago Tribune, 7 Sep. 2023
Higuera finished the 2-0 win in the ninth, then threw his third straight shutout five days later before finally yielding a run against the Tigers on Sept. 11 in the fifth; the Brewers won that game, too.
13.
—Jr Radcliffe, Journal Sentinel, 6 Sep. 2023
Even as the offense struggled, the defense pitched its first shutout since 2014.
—Kevin Reynolds, The Salt Lake Tribune, 5 Sep. 2023
The Buckeyes came about half a football short of their first shutout since 2019.
—Nathan Baird, cleveland, 4 Sep. 2023
Hamilton was able to put aside its 18-0 shutout against Badin in Week 1 and move on from it.
—Chris Vogt, The Enquirer, 26 Aug. 2023
Starting pitcher Kyle Bradish maintained his status as the Orioles’ best rotation member — and perhaps one of the Junior Circuit’s top starters — with eight strikeouts in six shutout innings.
—Jacob Calvin Meyer, Baltimore Sun, 20 Aug. 2023
Houston Mitchell, Los Angeles Times, 6 Sep. 2023
Hollywood has shut out Depp in recent years amid legal troubles and his 2022 libel trial against Amber Heard.
—Zack Sharf, Variety, 5 Sep. 2023
Ole Miss was most recently shut out in a 30-0 loss to Arkansas on Nov. 22, 2014.
—Mark Inabinett | Minabinett@al.com, al, 5 Sep. 2023
Loch Raven’s defense shut out Eastern Tech until the fourth quarter, all the while holding the Mavericks to less than 100 yards of offense.
—Michael Pope, Baltimore Sun, 2 Sep. 2023
And look at the electoral results in all of these states minus Texas: Georgia Republicans have now lost three contests for U.S. Senate; Michigan Republicans have been shut out in statewide races since 2016; and Arizona Republicans have racked up loss after loss.
—Chuck Todd, NBC News, 1 Sep. 2023
The Blue Jays shut out the Nationals earlier Wednesday, putting them four games ahead of the Sox, who travel to Kansas City for a weekend series against the Royals beginning Friday.
—Julian McWilliams, BostonGlobe.com, 30 Aug. 2023
Westview shuts out Plymouth The Westview Warriors defeated the Plymouth Rockies & Pilgrims 3-0 in an Indiana girls soccer game on Tuesday.
—Indy Star Sports, The Indianapolis Star, 15 Aug. 2023
Black pride was shut out and traded for … hardcore hip-hop.
—William E. Ketchum Iii, Men's Health, 1 Aug. 2023
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Noun
Those answers have stuck with the No. 15 Wildcats through a shutout of Southeast Missouri State to open the season and with Troy visiting Saturday — a team much like the Green Wave, talented and successful.
—Mark Heim | Mheim@al.com, al, 9 Sep. 2023
The victory marked the program’s first 2-0 start since 2017 and first shutout since beating Syracuse 30-0 on Nov. 20, 2020.
—Alexis Cubit, The Courier-Journal, 8 Sep. 2023
It’s gone exceedingly well so far for the Reapers (2-0) — a 33-20 win over Ottawa and a 29-0 shutout of Manteno going into Friday’s conference showdown with Sandwich (2-0).
—Paul Johnson, Chicago Tribune, 7 Sep. 2023
Higuera finished the 2-0 win in the ninth, then threw his third straight shutout five days later before finally yielding a run against the Tigers on Sept. 11 in the fifth; the Brewers won that game, too.
13.
—Jr Radcliffe, Journal Sentinel, 6 Sep. 2023
Even as the offense struggled, the defense pitched its first shutout since 2014.
—Kevin Reynolds, The Salt Lake Tribune, 5 Sep. 2023
The Buckeyes came about half a football short of their first shutout since 2019.
—Nathan Baird, cleveland, 4 Sep. 2023
Hamilton was able to put aside its 18-0 shutout against Badin in Week 1 and move on from it.
—Chris Vogt, The Enquirer, 26 Aug. 2023
Starting pitcher Kyle Bradish maintained his status as the Orioles’ best rotation member — and perhaps one of the Junior Circuit’s top starters — with eight strikeouts in six shutout innings.
—Jacob Calvin Meyer, Baltimore Sun, 20 Aug. 2023
Verb
Hershiser shut out the Padres for nine innings to tie the record, but the Dodgers failed to score against Andy Hawkins, sending the game to extra innings.
—Houston Mitchell, Los Angeles Times, 6 Sep. 2023
Hollywood has shut out Depp in recent years amid legal troubles and his 2022 libel trial against Amber Heard.
—Zack Sharf, Variety, 5 Sep. 2023
Ole Miss was most recently shut out in a 30-0 loss to Arkansas on Nov. 22, 2014.
—Mark Inabinett | Minabinett@al.com, al, 5 Sep. 2023
Loch Raven’s defense shut out Eastern Tech until the fourth quarter, all the while holding the Mavericks to less than 100 yards of offense.
—Michael Pope, Baltimore Sun, 2 Sep. 2023
And look at the electoral results in all of these states minus Texas: Georgia Republicans have now lost three contests for U.S. Senate; Michigan Republicans have been shut out in statewide races since 2016; and Arizona Republicans have racked up loss after loss.
—Chuck Todd, NBC News, 1 Sep. 2023
The Blue Jays shut out the Nationals earlier Wednesday, putting them four games ahead of the Sox, who travel to Kansas City for a weekend series against the Royals beginning Friday.
—Julian McWilliams, BostonGlobe.com, 30 Aug. 2023
Westview shuts out Plymouth The Westview Warriors defeated the Plymouth Rockies & Pilgrims 3-0 in an Indiana girls soccer game on Tuesday.
—Indy Star Sports, The Indianapolis Star, 15 Aug. 2023
Black pride was shut out and traded for … hardcore hip-hop.
—William E. Ketchum Iii, Men's Health, 1 Aug. 2023
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'shutout.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Dictionary Entries Near shutout
Cite this Entry
“Shutout.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/shutout. Accessed 24 Sep. 2023.
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Kids Definition
shutout
1 of 2 noun
shut·out
ˈshət-ˌau̇t
: a game in which one side fails to score
shut out
2 of 2 verbˌshət-ˈau̇t
1
: to keep something out : exclude
2
: to keep an opponent from scoring in a game
More from Merriam-Webster on shutout
Britannica English: Translation of shutout for Arabic Speakers
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