What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
downright
Example
The movie was downright terrible. [downright: adverb]
Example
I have a downright hatred for broccoli. [downright: adjective]
outright
Example
He outright refused to apologize. [outright: adverb]
Example
She won the competition outright. [outright: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Outright is more commonly used than downright in everyday language. Outright is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while downright is less common and has a stronger negative connotation.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between downright and outright?
Both downright and outright are considered formal words and are appropriate for use in academic or professional writing.
