out-and-out

adjective

ˌau̇t-ᵊn(d)-ˈau̇t How to pronounce out-and-out (audio)
Definition of out-and-outnext
1
as in utter
having no exceptions or restrictions an out-and-out cheater at every game she plays her story is not just an exaggeration, it's an out-and-out lie

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in thorough
trying all possibilities mounted an out-and-out effort to find the lost child

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 out-and-out First off, the Atlas is an adventure tourer rather than an out-and-out adventure bike. — Utkarsh Sood june 16, New Atlas, 16 June 2026 The former Palisades resident and self-declared villain Pratt hasn’t out-and-out won tonight and victory in the fall is unlikely. — Dominic Patten, Deadline, 3 June 2026 With no out-and-out striker other than bit-part Goncalo Ramos, Luis Enrique wants a versatile front man with Alvarez fitting that bill perfectly. — Tom Sanderson, Forbes.com, 1 June 2026 Meanwhile, his warm, delicate handling of, for the first time, an out-and-out love story should entice a wider audience to this Cannes competition entry. — Guy Lodge, Variety, 21 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for out-and-out
Recent Examples of Synonyms for out-and-out
  1. utter
  2. thorough
  3. sheer
  4. extensive
  5. unconditional
  6. complete
  7. absolute
  8. sweeping
Adjective
  • This Ninth — featuring the Los Angeles Master Chorale and four superb vocal soloists (Saioa Hernández, Tamara Mumford, David Portillo and Ryan Speedo Green) — became Beethoven, alive in the moment, an instrument of utter joy.
    — Classical Music Critic, Los Angeles Times, 26 Aug. 2026
  • Sweet, aromatic, and bubblegum pink, this playful cocktail is the utter definition of fun.
    — Bradleigh Mobley, Bon Appetit Magazine, 24 Aug. 2026
Definition of utter
Adjective
  • Medical experts say a thorough screening is critical to preventing deaths.
    — Ryan J. Foley, Los Angeles Times, 2 Sep. 2026
  • Most importantly, don’t be afraid to advocate for a thorough skin exam.
    — Ayren Jackson-Cannady, Allure, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of thorough
Adjective
  • The facts of his biography, no matter how outrageous, could not possibly explain the sheer derangement of his output.
    — Becca Rothfeld, New Yorker, 29 Aug. 2026
  • This means investor scrutiny will extend beyond the sheer scale of AI investment to encompass debt burdens, capital costs, and return timelines.
    — , CNBC, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of sheer
Adjective
  • Chinese state media, including the Communist Party's flagship newspaper, People's Daily, gave extensive coverage to Xi's encounters with other visiting leaders on Tuesday, but made no mention of the meeting with Pezeshkian.
    — Anniek Bao, CNBC, 2 Sep. 2026
  • Neal's research includes extensive work on female astronauts.
    — Elizabeth Howell, Space.com, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of extensive
Adjective
  • The capitulation of Germany is at hand, the Third Reich's unconditional surrender just days away.
    — Danielle Parker, CBS News, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Despite his resolve to be gentler and kinder than Cotton, Hank still struggles to articulate his unconditional love to his son, Bobby.
    — Jordana Rosenfeld, Encyclopedia Britannica, 24 Aug. 2026
Definition of unconditional
Adjective
  • To defeat Iran would be a complete victory, not only for Israel but for the entire Middle East.
    — Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 31 Aug. 2026
  • Those tests should reveal how well the modular architecture performs once individual components operate as part of a complete launcher.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of complete
Adjective
  • Keep in mind that this isn’t an absolute confirmation of a series production Slantnose 911.
    — Caleb Jacobs, The Drive, 27 Aug. 2026
  • The largest fish had a considerably lower absolute speed than its smaller cousins.
    — Mack DeGeurin, Popular Science, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of absolute
Adjective
  • Under his ownership, Vermejo became a sweeping ecological restoration project.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 29 Aug. 2026
  • Ride powerful ATVs across vast stretches of black-sand beaches, or set out on snowmobiles across sweeping glaciers.
    — Gwen Nicol, Travel + Leisure, 29 Aug. 2026
Definition of sweeping

Browse Nearby Words

out
out-and-out
out at elbows
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Cite this Entry

“Out-and-out.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/out-and-out. Accessed 3 Sep. 2026.

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