as in utter
having no exceptions or restrictions
that's an outright lie!
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of outright
Charlie was outspoken about his Christian faith, but also used it as the basis for many of his controversial viewpoints, including anti-LGBTQ+ stances and an outright rejection of transgender people.
—
Michael Nied, PEOPLE, 3 Nov. 2025
Yes, in strict terms, the issue is not simply outright quality, but quality in comparison to the player being replaced.
—Michael Cox, New York Times, 2 Nov. 2025
Michelle comes across as an outright villain at first, talking almost exclusively in chilly, insincere corporate speak and treating her employees with passive-aggressive disregard.
—Shirley Li, The Atlantic, 31 Oct. 2025
This appears to be the first outright podcast deal by Tubi Media Group, coming after Fox acquired podcasting firm Red Seat Ventures, in February 2025.
—Caitlin Huston, HollywoodReporter, 30 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for outright
Michael Nied, PEOPLE, 3 Nov. 2025
Yes, in strict terms, the issue is not simply outright quality, but quality in comparison to the player being replaced.
—Michael Cox, New York Times, 2 Nov. 2025
Michelle comes across as an outright villain at first, talking almost exclusively in chilly, insincere corporate speak and treating her employees with passive-aggressive disregard.
—Shirley Li, The Atlantic, 31 Oct. 2025
This appears to be the first outright podcast deal by Tubi Media Group, coming after Fox acquired podcasting firm Red Seat Ventures, in February 2025.
—Caitlin Huston, HollywoodReporter, 30 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for outright
Recent Examples of Synonyms for outright
Adjective
-
Much will soon be made of the movie’s epic, final-act twist, but despite such swerves, the film maintains its utter ambiguity to the end, giving heart to the lostness that so many across ideological spectrums now feel.—
Patrick Brzeski,
HollywoodReporter,
7 Nov. 2025
-
His extraordinary journey from utter isolation to human connection is revealed in the Oscar-contending documentary Ghost Boy, directed by Rodney Ascher (Room 237, A Glitch in the Matrix), winner of the Audience Award at SXSW in the Visions category.—
Matthew Carey,
Deadline,
7 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
Days later the president handed a full and unconditional pardon to Changpeng Zhao, the former CEO of Binance, who pleaded guilty to money laundering charges.—
NPR,
NPR,
11 Nov. 2025
-
As Russia’s closest ally, China would not break with Moscow by endorsing an unconditional cease-fire, but it, too, would be discomfited by having to explain this choice.—
Thomas Wright,
The Atlantic,
11 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
Critics argue the ballroom's sheer scale—twice the size of the main residence—will fundamentally alter the White House's historic proportions and architectural balance.—
Adeola Adeosun,
MSNBC Newsweek,
11 Nov. 2025
-
The genocidal evil of the Nazis was, and is, often accorded a type of 'genius' - an idea that often persists in public discourse as a way to account for the sheer malice in the planning and execution of the Holocaust as something exceptional.—
NPR,
NPR,
11 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
And many of us, sadly, have been in a state of absolute despair while grieving someone, which is its own type of temporary insanity.—
Brian Davids,
HollywoodReporter,
7 Nov. 2025
-
Bad news for Harbour—each track is an absolute earworm.—
Hilton Als,
New Yorker,
7 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
Foden has improved the defensive side of his game to the point that Guardiola trusts him to play a more complete role in the centre of the pitch, but going with such a fluid line-up does risk exposing City on the counter.—
Andy Jones,
New York Times,
9 Nov. 2025
-
And no list of holiday musts is complete without Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, one of the earliest creations of the beloved production company.—
Randall Colburn,
Entertainment Weekly,
8 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
Obviously, this is pure speculation at this point in time.—
Evan Massey,
MSNBC Newsweek,
11 Nov. 2025
-
Rybakina is one of the purest ballstrikers on the tour, whose all-or-nothing game can veer from erratic to unplayable in the space of a few games.—
Matthew Futterman,
New York Times,
10 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
A week after a 27-10 road win at Syracuse, North Carolina turned in a dreadful first half against Stanford (3-7, 2-5 ACC), gaining only 47 total yards on its way to a 3-3 halftime tie.—
Justin Williams,
New York Times,
9 Nov. 2025
-
The Aggies put up 464 yards of total offense and held the ball for more than 35 minutes.—
Maddie Hartley,
Kansas City Star,
9 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
According to Bruce Blair, a former Air Force launch officer and nuclear policy expert, between 1962 and the mid-1970s the most powerful digits on the globe were simple – eight zeros.—
Charlotte Reck,
CNN Money,
9 Nov. 2025
-
That something as simple as a COVID vaccine might improve survival in cancer patients receiving standard immunotherapy has taken oncologists by surprise — in a good way.—
Lisa Jarvis,
Twin Cities,
8 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Outright.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/outright. Accessed 12 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share