outsider

noun

out·​sid·​er ˌau̇t-ˈsī-dər How to pronounce outsider (audio)
ˈau̇t-ˌsī-
Synonyms of outsidernext
1
: a person who does not belong to a particular group
2
chiefly British : a contender not expected to win
outsiderness noun

Synonyms of outsider

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Examples of outsider in a Sentence

To outsiders, the ritual may seem strange. She felt like an outsider in her new school. An outsider defeated the champion! She was a rank outsider who managed to win.
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Buyers are already putting money behind methods that remain difficult for outsiders to assess. — Alec Luhn, Scientific American, 20 Oct. 2026 Instead, showrunner Meg Marinis opted for a corporate outsider, using Norton’s appointment to reflect the stark financial sacrifices modern hospitals must make just to keep their doors open to the general public. — Max Gao, Variety, 16 Oct. 2026 Rice is the first true outsider to arrive at the top of the org chart with a mandate to shake things up. — Mia Galuppo, HollywoodReporter, 16 Oct. 2026 But outsiders can't be certain that traditional conventions surrounding the public statements of the New York Fed president and the Fed vice chair have survived the leadership transition. — Matt Peterson, CNBC, 16 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for outsider

Word History

First Known Use

1800, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of outsider was in 1800

Rhymes for outsider

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Browse Nearby Words

outside quire
outsider
outsider art
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Cite this Entry

“Outsider.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/outsider. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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Kids Definition

outsider

noun
out·​sid·​er (ˈ)au̇t-ˈsīd-ər How to pronounce outsider (audio)
: a person who does not belong to a particular group
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