as in utter
having no exceptions or restrictions
that's an outright lie!
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of outright
Though not an outright villain like the tyrannical Immortan Joe (Lachy Hulme), Dementus exhibits psychopathic behavior throughout the film, engaging in human trafficking and even murder.
—
Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 6 Jan. 2026
But the best player in the deal sure seems to be Gauthier, and when that’s the case, the trade can’t be considered an outright win.
—Eric Stephens, New York Times, 6 Jan. 2026
Enron went out of business after exhibiting fraudulent practices and Bernie Madoff was a clear example of outright theft.
—Stanley S. Litow, New York Daily News, 4 Jan. 2026
But tensions between the factions and the two Gulf nations appear to be unraveling the coalition, threatening to throw them into outright conflict and further tear apart the Arab world’s poorest country.
—Ahmed Al-Haj, Chicago Tribune, 3 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for outright
Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 6 Jan. 2026
But the best player in the deal sure seems to be Gauthier, and when that’s the case, the trade can’t be considered an outright win.
—Eric Stephens, New York Times, 6 Jan. 2026
Enron went out of business after exhibiting fraudulent practices and Bernie Madoff was a clear example of outright theft.
—Stanley S. Litow, New York Daily News, 4 Jan. 2026
But tensions between the factions and the two Gulf nations appear to be unraveling the coalition, threatening to throw them into outright conflict and further tear apart the Arab world’s poorest country.
—Ahmed Al-Haj, Chicago Tribune, 3 Jan. 2026
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
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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
-
The Hour of the Wolf is a far-ranging memoir about motherhood, art, family, and the way that a dog’s unconditional love can offer a rare opportunity for healing.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
6 Jan. 2026
-
The state recently launched a project providing unconditional monthly checks — averaging $500 — to families who have abused or neglected their children.—
Sarah A. Font,
Chicago Tribune,
2 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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The Rhode founder stunned in a sheer black mesh teddy with a G-string thong design and an ab-baring cutout made out of straps.—
Lara Walsh,
InStyle,
7 Jan. 2026
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But the department has argued the sheer volume of documents that need to be found, uploaded, reviewed, redacted and published has forced it to instead release the files online on a rolling basis, with a series of enormous document dumps over the course of several days in mid-December.—
Joe Walsh,
CBS News,
6 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Those bright white tees seem to be absolute stain magnets attracting coffee drips, spaghetti sauce spots, and salad dressing splashes.—
Melissa Locker,
Southern Living,
10 Jan. 2026
-
Since a steamy cup of hot cocoa by your in-room fireplace is an absolute must, coffee bar stations are stocked with an assortment of artisan mixes by Sorrento, along with herbal teas and coffee.—
Jennie Nunn,
Condé Nast Traveler,
10 Jan. 2026
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
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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
-
Just the pure joy of motion and music.—
Marcus Thompson II,
New York Times,
7 Jan. 2026
-
That verisimilitude functioned as a solvent, lending credibility and urgency to elements of the show that might otherwise register as pure cheese; the medical realism and sentimental flourishes were mutually reinforcing.—
Nicholas Quah,
Vulture,
6 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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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
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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
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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
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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 11 Jan. 2026.
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