extrajudicial

adjective

ex·​tra·​ju·​di·​cial ˌek-strə-jü-ˈdi-shəl 

1

a

: not forming a valid part of regular legal proceedings

an extrajudicial investigation

b

: delivered without legal authority : private sense 2a(1)

the judge's extrajudicial statements

2

: done in contravention of due process of law

an extrajudicial execution

extrajudicially

ˌek-strə-jü-ˈdi-sh(ə-)lē 

adverb

Examples of extrajudicial in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The report warns that the number of mob lynchings is growing, as are the instances of extrajudicial killings by the Haitian national police. —Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 30 June 2025

The crackdown killed more than 6,000 people based on police data, though independent monitors believe the number of extrajudicial killings could be much higher. —Rob Picheta, CNN, 11 Mar. 2025

His apparatus has not only silenced opponents at home through mass arrests, torture, and extrajudicial killings, but has also orchestrated assassinations of dissidents abroad and exported terror across the region. —Ruth Marks Eglash, FOXNews.com, 19 June 2025

By crossing multiple red lines — violating Iran’s sovereignty, expanding extrajudicial killings, and striking nuclear, energy, and civilian infrastructure — Israel has drawn widespread ire. —Faisal J. Abbas, semafor.com, 17 June 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1630, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for extrajudicial

• semiofficial
• artificial
• beneficial
• cicatricial
• interstitial
• nonjudicial
• nonofficial
• prejudicial
• sacrificial
• superficial
• unofficial
• initial

Legal Definition

extrajudicial

adjective

ex·​tra·​ju·​di·​cial ˌek-strə-ju̇-ˈdi-shəl 

1

: not involving, occurring in, or forming part of a legal proceeding

a creditor's extrajudicial repossession of property

an extrajudicial investigation

especially : out-of-court

an extrajudicial identification

2

: stemming from something outside of a court proceeding

a judge disqualified for bias that is extrajudicial and not derived from the evidence presented

3

: occurring or arising outside of the course of judicial duties

a judge's extrajudicial conduct

extrajudicially adverb