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.
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 But these extrajudicial processes failed to offer due process to the accused. Alexis Okeowo, New Yorker, 16 June 2025 Everything that is happening right now is outside of our normal immigration laws, instead using the arcane Alien Enemies Act, with our president repeatedly musing about applying such extrajudicial tactics to citizens in the future. Anita Chabria, Los Angeles Times, 23 Apr. 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 28 Jun. 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
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!