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.
The crescendo of outsider spending and criticisms could help bolster her appeal. — Chris Smith, Vanity Fair, 26 Oct. 2026 Any records of internal discussions, disagreements among board members, or conflicting visions of the company’s future during his tenure, as well as any surviving personal papers, are likely to reside in the UPS archives, locked away from outsiders. — Marc Levinson, Fortune, 25 Oct. 2026 Brazil's election follows a long string of victories for the Latin American right across Central and South America that started with the election of Libertarian outsider Javier Milei in Argentina in 2023. — David Unsworth, FOXNews.com, 25 Oct. 2026 Fielder often plays the loner, the outsider; his struggle to find romantic love is a common theme in his early work. — Zoe Sottile, CNN Money, 24 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 27 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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