OUTLAW Synonyms: 132 Similar and Opposite Words

outlaw 1 of 2

verb

Definition of outlaw

as in to ban

to make or declare contrary to the law a push to outlaw smoking in all public buildings

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to prohibit

to order not to do or use or to be done or used fed up with the constant interruptions, the physician has outlawed all cell phone use from his office

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

outlaw

2 of 2

Example Sentences

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.

Recent Examples of outlaw

Verb

When music is outlawed in Afghanistan, the orchestra conductor Nazar (Babak Karimi) and his tuba-playing son Jalil (Ivar Wafaei) are forced to leave everything behind. — Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 11 Sep. 2026 It was modeled on a law that the Nevada state legislature passed in 2021, outlawing the use of Colorado River water on ornamental grass and commercial, government and homeowners association properties in places like Las Vegas. — Paul Rogers, Chicago Tribune, 8 Sep. 2026

Noun

Lefty played a number of shows at CMA Fest, and on Monday was announced as one of the performers at Stagecoach 2027, with her name on the same line of the poster as Shaboozey and outlaw-country songwriter Cody Jinks. — Marissa R. Moss, Rolling Stone, 15 Sep. 2026 Is that something the NFL could consider and outlaw/tell officials to clamp down on midseason? — Matt Barrows, New York Times, 15 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for outlaw

Recent Examples of Synonyms for outlaw

Verb

In his first term the White House banned CNN correspondent Jim Acosta from the White House, but a judge ordered his pass returned, citing First Amendment protections.

— Alex Weprin, HollywoodReporter, 21 Sep. 2026
In 2018, during his first term, the White House tried to ban journalist Jim Acosta, who then working for CNN, but a court ordered that his press credential be resinstated.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 21 Sep. 2026

Definition of ban

Verb

The sentiment echoes a broader ban across the United Kingdom from August that prohibits smart glasses in the courtroom.

— Sophie Tanno, CNN Money, 22 Sep. 2026
In his dissent, Scalia argued that the ESA was written narrowly to prohibit the intentional hunting and killing of vulnerable animals, not to broadly protect species at the population level.

— Ashley Belanger, ArsTechnica, 22 Sep. 2026

Definition of prohibit

Noun

When a wealthy, royal woman is attacked by bandits, the two men save her and are welcomed to the castle as valiant knights.

— Jourdain Searles, HollywoodReporter, 18 Sep. 2026
Elsewhere, a gang of highway bandits cons an unsuspecting family into stopping by the roadside, only to violently kill them, burn their bodies, and strip their car for parts.

— Siddhant Adlakha, IndieWire, 17 Sep. 2026

Definition of bandit

Verb

Existing law still criminalizes appearing in public without an Islamic hijab.

— Pegah Banihashemi, Chicago Tribune, 18 Sep. 2026
Laws used to criminalize dissent remain in force, intelligence and security agencies retain essentially the same structures and practices, and authorities have taken no steps to disarm or dismantle the colectivos.

— Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 16 Sep. 2026

Definition of criminalize

Verb

Greek courts have upheld the claim that extradition of Greek nationals is forbidden.

— CBS News, CBS News, 18 Sep. 2026
The filmmaker contrasts her bucolic nature scenes with shots of the giant ships passing by and the interiors and exteriors of the factories located near the island, belching smoke and lit up at night like a forbidding theme park.

— Frank Scheck, HollywoodReporter, 17 Sep. 2026

Definition of forbid

Noun

Removing violent criminals, gang members, cartel members and those who refuse to work is wise and popular policy.

— Don Bacon, Washington Post, 25 Sep. 2026
Americans have demonized us as criminals, buffoons, lechers, invaders, criminals and job stealers since the fall of the Alamo.

— Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 25 Sep. 2026

Definition of criminal

Verb

Basis for the suit to illegalize the union, lawyers explained, is the difference in race between the participants.

— sandiegouniontribune.com, sandiegouniontribune.com, 28 Feb. 2018
Rather than negotiating a political agreement, Madrid decided to illegalize Basque political parties allegedly linked with terrorism and to prosecute their leaders.

— Sergi Pardos-Prado, Washington Post, 28 Oct. 2017

Definition of illegalize

Browse Nearby Words

outlasts

outlaw

outlawed

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Cite this Entry

Style

“Outlaw.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/outlaw. Accessed 29 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of outlaw

verb

noun

Example Sentences

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