shutout

1 of 2

noun

shut·​out ˈshət-ˌau̇t How to pronounce shutout (audio)
Synonyms of shutoutnext
1
: a game or contest in which one side fails to score
2
: a preemptive bid in bridge

shut out

2 of 2

verb

shut out; shutting out; shuts out

transitive verb

1
: exclude
2
: to prevent (an opponent) from scoring in a game or contest
3
: to forestall the bidding of (bridge opponents) by making a high or preemptive bid

Synonyms of shutout

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Verb

See All Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus

Examples of shutout in a Sentence

Noun They beat us in a 9–0 shutout. Verb local residents feel that they have been shut out of the debate for expanding the airport
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.
Noun
Chawinga scored her eighth goal of the season in the 87th minute to complete the shutout. — ABC News, 4 July 2026 It's scored at least one goal in every game and gotten two shutouts, so there is some stuff to hang its hat on. — David Troy, FOXNews.com, 4 July 2026
Verb
It was shut out in its first two matches. — Los Angeles Times, 28 June 2026 Here are three groups of people—both present in your life and taking up space in your mind—who should be shut out. — Megan Poinski, Forbes.com, 30 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for shutout

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1889, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of shutout was in the 14th century

Rhymes for shutout

See All Rhymes for shutout

Browse Nearby Words

shut one's mouth
shutout
shut out
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Shutout.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/shutout. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

shutout

1 of 2 noun
shut·​out ˈshət-ˌau̇t How to pronounce shutout (audio)
: a game in which one side fails to score

shut out

2 of 2 verb
ˌshət-ˈau̇t
1
: to keep something out : exclude
2
: to keep an opponent from scoring in a game
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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