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Definitions

on the outs

ADJECTIVE
belligerent
Synonyms
STRONGEST
aggressive antagonistic bellicose combative contentious hostile ornery quarrelsome
STRONG
fighting flip mean militant
WEAK
ardent at loggerheads battling cantankerous fierce have a bone to pick have chip on shoulder have it in for hot hot-tempered pugnacious scrappy truculent warlike
Antonyms
STRONGEST
agreeable calm friendly kind peaceful
STRONG
peaceloving
WEAK
cooperative helping nice
ADJECTIVE
scrappy
Synonyms
STRONGEST
aggressive combative fierce ornery
WEAK
antagonistic ardent at loggerheads battling bellicose cantankerous contentious fighting flip have a bone to pick have chip on shoulder have it in for hostile hot hot-tempered mean militant pugnacious quarrelsome truculent warlike
Antonyms
STRONGEST
calm peaceful

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

This may put him on the outs with his colleagues in the academy, but it has made for a riveting and richly illuminating book.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 30, 2026

And she’s on the outs with her friends.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 31, 2025

At least a few people inside the Beltway have read the story, as Politico reports that National Security Adviser Mike Waltz might be on the outs for his role in cobbling together the group chat.

From Salon • Mar. 25, 2025

Wheeler looked to be on the outs in Winnipeg for some time.

From Seattle Times • Jun. 30, 2023

My aunt and cousins would be there whenever she was on the outs with Dinky.

From "Born a Crime: Stories from a South African Childhood" by Trevor Noah