as in inpatient
a person who goes to a doctor's office or hospital for treatment but who does not spend the night there
—often used before another noun
outpatient surgery It was a minor procedure that could be performed at an outpatient clinic.
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Recent Examples of outpatient
In 2019, spending on the ten most expensive Medicare outpatient procedures from 2009 had risen by less than the general rate of inflation, yet overall outpatient spending grew 19 percent in real terms.
—
Chris Pope, Washington Post, 10 Feb. 2026
Local media reported that some provincial hospitals have canceled surgeries and outpatient transfers.
—Philip Wang, Time, 9 Feb. 2026
Inpatient and outpatient care remained closed on Monday, except for mammography.
—Paul Burton, CBS News, 9 Feb. 2026
There will also be outpatient services to treat addiction and mental health.
—Andrew Khouri, Los Angeles Times, 6 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for outpatient
Chris Pope, Washington Post, 10 Feb. 2026
Local media reported that some provincial hospitals have canceled surgeries and outpatient transfers.
—Philip Wang, Time, 9 Feb. 2026
Inpatient and outpatient care remained closed on Monday, except for mammography.
—Paul Burton, CBS News, 9 Feb. 2026
There will also be outpatient services to treat addiction and mental health.
—Andrew Khouri, Los Angeles Times, 6 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for outpatient
Recent Examples of Synonyms for outpatient
Noun
-
In a 2023 study of adults with opioid use disorder, relapse rates six months after treatment were highest among individuals who received only short-term inpatient treatment, with 77% of these patients returning to use.—
Emma Fenske,
The Conversation,
12 Feb. 2026
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In 2022, the average price of an inpatient admission covered by private insurance—$28,038—far exceeded the average out-of-pocket maximum of $4,355, leaving patients with little incentive to shop based on price.—
Chris Pope,
Washington Post,
10 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Real-time hospitalization data can show where to target resources and help hospitals prepare for an influx of patients.—
Jennifer Berry Hawes,
CNN Money,
21 Feb. 2026
-
Investigators are trying to determine whether patients' private information was accessed, Woodward said.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
21 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Outpatient.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/outpatient. Accessed 22 Feb. 2026.
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