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.
Marc Boiron, chief executive of Polygon Labs, said on the a podcast that the rails are further along than outsiders assume. — Boaz Sobrado, Forbes.com, 1 July 2026 One of the shows will feature Tim Heidecker, who rose to prominence in the early 2000s on a unique brand of fringe, outsider comedy. — Drew Pittock, USA Today, 2 July 2026 And while the United States is seen as an outsider for the trophy compared to the likes of France and Argentina, don’t tell that to the fans in Boise. — Idaho Statesman, 2 July 2026 But rather than cede ground to an outsider, the town's residents plant TNT in every single structure, blowing them up before Lassiter can get his hands on them. — Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 3 July 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 7 Jul. 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

More from Merriam-Webster on outsider

Nglish: Translation of outsider for Spanish Speakers

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