extrajudicial

adjective

ex·​tra·​ju·​di·​cial ˌek-strə-jü-ˈdi-shəl How to pronounce extrajudicial (audio)
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 adverb

Examples of extrajudicial in a Sentence

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.
Counternarcotics operations tend to draw public support, but potentially extrajudicial strikes occasionally raise questions on Capitol Hill about congressional authorization for the use of military force — even among some Republicans. Burgess Everett, semafor.com, 8 Sep. 2025 There are widespread reports of extrajudicial killings, psychological intimidation, unlawful detentions, torture, child kidnappings and disappearances. Kim Hjelmgaard, USA Today, 24 Aug. 2025 Russia has a long pattern of extrajudicial killings and suspicious deaths of critics, especially journalists and former intelligence officers, but assigning blame is difficult in many cases because of Russian state security. Andy Shaw, Chicago Tribune, 22 Aug. 2025 Does that duty to shareholders extend to potentially extrajudicial efforts to lay a pathway to regulatory approval of the merger in the form of a side deal between Skydance and Trump? Winston Cho, HollywoodReporter, 22 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for extrajudicial

Word History

First Known Use

1630, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of extrajudicial was in 1630

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Extrajudicial.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/extrajudicial. Accessed 10 Sep. 2025.

Legal Definition

extrajudicial

adjective
ex·​tra·​ju·​di·​cial ˌek-strə-ju̇-ˈdi-shəl How to pronounce extrajudicial (audio)
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
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