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 Maduro government has also been accused of extrajudicial killings and violation of human rights in the past. —Alessandra Freitas, CNN Money, 1 Dec. 2025

The units were known in Afghanistan for their secrecy and alleged brutality, and members were implicated in numerous extrajudicial killings of civilians, particularly during night raids. —Caroline Linton, CBS News, 28 Nov. 2025

The strikes have generated international pushback from foreign leaders, human rights groups, Democrats and some Republicans who have raised concerns that the United States is engaging in extrajudicial killings that undermine its stature in the world. —Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 16 Nov. 2025

The policy has drawn sharp criticism from human rights organizations and international law scholars, who denounce the operations as extrajudicial killings. —Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 10 Nov. 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