outlaw
verb
outlawed; outlawing; outlaws
1
a
: to deprive of the benefit and protection of law : declare to be an outlaw
b
: to make illegal
outlawed dueling
2
: to place under a ban or restriction
3
: to remove (as a claim) from legal jurisdiction or enforcement
Examples of outlaw in a Sentence
That type of gun was outlawed last year.
The government passed a bill outlawing the hiring of children under the age of 12.
Recent Examples on the Web
Legal experts say the latest ruling is different, functionally outlawing cash bail in most cases, and strictly capping the amount in others.
—
Sonja Sharp, Los Angeles Times, 29 May 2026
The rules produced by students at Eton in 1847, by contrast, outlawed the use of hands for propelling the ball.
—Thomas Adam, The Conversation, 29 May 2026
In response, Lebanon’s government took the extraordinary step of outlawing Hezbollah’s military operations.
—Euan Ward, New Yorker, 29 May 2026
The constant cameras took such a toll on their family that Garner joined other celebrity parents in 2013 to help pass a bill that outlawed paparazzi photos of children taken without permission.
—Caroline Blair, PEOPLE, 28 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for outlaw
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Sonja Sharp, Los Angeles Times, 29 May 2026
The rules produced by students at Eton in 1847, by contrast, outlawed the use of hands for propelling the ball.
—Thomas Adam, The Conversation, 29 May 2026
In response, Lebanon’s government took the extraordinary step of outlawing Hezbollah’s military operations.
—Euan Ward, New Yorker, 29 May 2026
The constant cameras took such a toll on their family that Garner joined other celebrity parents in 2013 to help pass a bill that outlawed paparazzi photos of children taken without permission.
—Caroline Blair, PEOPLE, 28 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for outlaw
Cite this Entry
“Outlaw.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/outlaw. Accessed 10 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
outlaw
1 of 2 noun
out·law
ˈau̇t-ˌlȯ 
1
: a person who is not given the protection of the law
2
: a lawless person or one who is running away from the law
3
: an animal (as a horse) that is wild and hard to control
outlaw
adjective
outlaw
2 of 2 verb1
: to deprive of the protection of law
2
: to make illegal
dueling was outlawed
Legal Definition
outlaw
1 of 2 noun
out·law
ˈau̇t-ˌlȯ
1
: a person excluded from the benefit or protection of the law
a trespasser is not an outlaw
2
: a lawless person or a fugitive from the law
3
: a person or organization (as a nation) under a ban or restriction or considered to be in defiance of norms or laws
considered an outlaw for its support of terrorism
Etymology
Old English ūtlaga, from Old Norse ūtlagi, from ūt out + lag, lǫg law
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