Skip to main content
straight-out

straight-out

29 6.1
Completely direct with no doubt or excuse
  • adjective
  • /ˈstreɪtˌaʊt/
: directo
  • We just say it straight out, plain out and be honest.
  • ask straight-out

Examples

  • He answered my question straight-out, without any hesitation or fluff.

  • Can I ask you something straight out?

  • This is a good moment to say, straight out: Intention matters.

    Academic text (2010)
  • I would like to make a toast to our first straight-out victory.

  • Now, these guys are straight-out insane.

  • Biden said straight out (no pun intended) that he's all in favor of gay marriage.

    Blog text (8)
  • Nixon, with Kissinger's active encouragement, viewed it as a straight-out fight with Moscow.

    Academic text (1990)
  • They'd be foolish to side with the current Senate Democrats who, as a whole, have repeatedly been dishonest, corrupt, and straight-out ineffective.

    Blog text (18)
  • I appreciate your honesty; please tell me straight-out what you think.

  • When she said it straight-out, there was no mistaking her feelings.

Synonyms

clearly
vsstraight-out
∞ 1.0

In a way that leaves no doubt

is more about being openly without exceptions or qualifications than just clarity
openly
vsstraight-out
274 1.6

To say or do things without hiding feelings

is more about absolute lack of qualification or exception rather than simple openness
straight-up
vsstraight-out
  • Informal
144 7.9

Used to say something is completely honest without exaggeration

is the more general directness without exceptions rather than informal tone
straight
vsstraight-out
142 1.6

In an honest and direct way

is more absolute about having no exceptions or qualifications than plain candidness
outright
vsstraight-out
141 4.2

Completely, with nothing left to pay

is focused on directness and lack of exception rather than immediacy
explicitly
vsstraight-out
128 3.9

A person uses clear, direct words so there is no doubt

is more about lack of reservation or exception than mere clarity
honestly
vsstraight-out
123 1.3

In a truthful way that shows you mean what you say

is about absence of reservation and exception rather than merely truthfulness
directly
vsstraight-out
106 1.4

In a clear honest way, saying what you think

is stronger, signalling no reservation or exception rather than simple frankness
flat out
vsstraight-out
  • Informal
85 7.0

To say something plainly without hiding feelings

is about absence of reservation and exception rather than blunt forcefulness
plainly
vsstraight-out
65 1.8

In a clear and obvious way that is easy to understand

is stronger, stressing no exceptions or qualifications rather than simple obviousness
squarely
vsstraight-out
48 3.7

In a direct and firm way without avoiding the issue

is used for absolute lack of qualification or exception rather than firm focus
bluntly
vsstraight-out
36 4.6

In a direct way that is not polite

is concerned with absolute lack of reservation or qualification rather than impolite tone
unequivocally
vsstraight-out
  • Formal
36 6.9

In a clear way that leaves no doubt

is about directness without exception rather than only clarity of meaning
emphatically
vsstraight-out
35 5.5

In a strong, definite way that shows no doubt

is about being directly without exception rather than only forceful delivery
point blank
vsstraight-out
  • Informal
35 5.0

In a very direct way without trying to hide anything

is used to signal absolute lack of qualification rather than only bluntness
flatly
vsstraight-out
35 4.6

In a firm way that shows no doubt

is more about directness and being without exception, not just blunt tone
categorically
vsstraight-out
34 6.5

In a clear, certain way without any doubt

is more about direct assertion without exception than formal emphasis
upfront
vsstraight-out
26 4.3

Honest and direct about feelings or plans

is more an absolute, unqualified stance rather than a personal character trait
unabashedly
vsstraight-out
10 7.5

Without shame or embarrassment

is focused on being without exceptions or qualifications rather than lack of shame
point-blank
vsstraight-out
10 5.6

Direct and blunt without trying to hide the truth

is focused on being without exception or qualification rather than coarse bluntness
forthrightly
vsstraight-out
6 6.7

In a direct and honest way without hiding anything

is focused on absence of reservation or exception rather than merely frankness
straightforwardly
vsstraight-out
5 3.9

In a clear, honest way without hiding anything

is about being without exceptions or qualifications rather than only simple style
unreservedly
vsstraight-out
3 7.1

Completely and without holding back

is about being absolute and without exception rather than merely openness
outrightly
vsstraight-out
1 6.0

In a complete and direct way, without any doubt

is about absence of qualification or exception rather than simple speed

Antonyms

29 3.7

Not willing to show feelings or talk much

13 4.6

Not fully complete because of limits or conditions

How Direct

straight-out
29 6.1
bluntly
36 4.6
directly
106 1.4
plainly
65 1.8

Surface Forms

straight-out positive

Morphology

straight-out = straight (transparent) = out + straight

The meaning 'without reservation; direct' follows readily from the clear combination of 'straight' + 'out'. [Postprocessing: moved 'out' from base_words to prefix]

Etymology

Straight-out combines the common words straight ('not bent or direct') and out ('to the outside'), like pointing something straight out with nothing hiding behind it. So, straight-out means 'without reservation' or 'outright'.