1
: in a full and complete way
They rejected the idea outright. [=altogether, completely]
She won the competition outright.
The painting is now owned outright by the museum.
2
: quickly and completely : not gradually
Those who were not killed outright [=immediately] later died of hunger.
Their house was destroyed outright by the fire.
3
: in one payment of money
I bought the car outright.
4
: in a direct and open way that does not hide anything
Some people laughed outright when he told us his idea.
always used before a noun
1
: complete and total
—used to make a statement more forceful
Your room is an outright mess!
That's an outright lie!
2
: not limited in any way : done, made, or given in a complete way
They passed an outright ban on guns. [=all guns were completely banned]
an outright gift
I was surprised by their outright rejection of the idea.
Cite this Entry
“Outright.” Merriam-Webster.com Simple Definition, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/simple/outright. Accessed 4 Apr. 2026.
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