outright
completely; with no limitation
Fully and totally, not partly or slowly, often in one action or payment.
to [verb] [something] outright
- The board rejected the proposal outright after a short discussion.
- We decided to ban smoking outright inside all company buildings.
- She bought the house outright instead of taking out a mortgage.
- Several passengers were killed outright in the crash.
- The complaint was dismissed outright for lack of evidence.
- The manager refused my idea outright.
- They banned the product outright after the test results.
- He paid for the car outright with his savings.
- The judge threw out the case outright.
- Her request for more time was denied outright.
openly or directly, without hiding
Openly and clearly, without trying to hide or make something seem nicer.
to [verb] outright
- He lied outright about his work experience in the interview.
- She told me outright that I would not be getting a promotion this year.
- The minister admitted outright that the policy had failed.
- They refused outright to negotiate with the kidnappers.
- Commentators criticized the decision outright on live television.
- My boss told me outright that I made a big mistake.
- He lied outright to his parents about where he was.
- The company refused outright to change the contract.
- She said outright that she did not trust him.
- The coach blamed the players outright after the game.
complete or total; not partial
Total and full, with no limit or half-way condition.
outright [noun]
- The government introduced an outright ban on indoor smoking.
- She was the outright winner of the competition, with no need for a second round.
- The party failed to win an outright majority in parliament.
- It was an outright defeat for the defending champions.
- This change represents an outright rejection of the previous policy.
- They called for an outright ban on plastic bags.
- He became the outright winner after the other team was disqualified.
- No party got an outright majority in the election.
- The team suffered an outright defeat in the final.
- The new rule is an outright change from the old one.
blatant and clearly unacceptable
Clear and open, usually about something bad or wrong, with no attempt to hide it.
outright [negative noun]
- The article accused the company of outright fraud and deception.
- Such comments show outright racism and have no place in public life.
- The policy amounts to outright discrimination against older workers.
- Taking money from the fund for personal use is outright theft.
- The proposal met with outright hostility from local residents.
- His words were an example of outright racism.
- Using the company car for a holiday is outright theft.
- The new law is outright discrimination against poor people.
- Their answer was not just rude; it was outright disrespect.
- The workers faced outright hostility when they arrived.
- Base: outright
buy outright
1pay full price at once
To pay the whole cost of something at one time, without borrowing money or paying in parts.
- Thanks to an inheritance, she could buy the apartment outright.
- If you buy the phone outright, the monthly plan is cheaper.
- We decided to save for a year and then buy the car outright.
laugh outright
1laugh openly and fully
To laugh in a loud and clear way, not trying to hide it.
- The audience laughed outright at his first joke.
- She laughed outright when she heard how much the ticket cost.
- They laughed outright at the suggestion that he might retire.
outright ban
1total prohibition with no exceptions
A rule that completely stops something, with no special cases or allowed situations.
- Environmental groups are calling for an outright ban on single-use plastics.
- The city introduced an outright ban on smoking in restaurants.
- Some activists want an outright ban instead of partial restrictions.
outright lie
1clear and complete falsehood
A lie that is totally false and very clear, not just a small change of the truth.
- Calling the report accurate is an outright lie.
- He accused the politician of telling an outright lie on television.
- Saying you were not there is an outright lie, and we can prove it.
outright majority
1more than half of total votes
More than half of all the votes or seats, so that one side can decide things alone.
- The party failed to win an outright majority in parliament.
- With an outright majority, the government can pass laws easily.
- They need an outright majority of votes to change the constitution.
outright victory
1clear and total win
A win that is clear and strong, not close and not shared with another side.
- The team enjoyed an outright victory, winning 4–0.
- Polls suggest an outright victory for the ruling party.
- It was an outright victory, with no need for a second match.
own outright
1have full ownership, no debt
To fully own something, with no loan, mortgage, or shared ownership connected to it.
- They own their house outright and no longer have a mortgage.
- By the time she retired, she owned her car outright.
- He hopes to own the business outright within five years.
refuse outright
1refuse completely and directly
To say no in a clear and strong way, without thinking about changes or other options.
- The company refused outright to pay any compensation.
- She refused outright when they asked her to lie.
- Local residents have refused outright to support the project.
reject outright
1reject completely and immediately
To say no to something at once and totally, without discussing it or changing it.
- Shareholders rejected outright the plan to cut jobs.
- The editor rejected his article outright for being too long.
- They rejected outright any idea of delaying the vote.
win outright
1win completely in one round
To win in a clear way, without a tie, replay, or need for extra votes or games.
- The team won outright and took the championship title.
- No candidate won outright in the first round of voting.
- She won outright with more than 60 percent of the vote.