outlaw

1 of 2

noun

out·​law ˈau̇t-ˌlȯ How to pronounce outlaw (audio)
1
: a person excluded from the benefit or protection of the law
2
a
: a lawless person or a fugitive from the law
b
: a person or organization under a ban or restriction
c
: one that is unconventional or rebellious
3
: an animal (such as a horse) that is wild and unmanageable
outlaw adjective

outlaw

2 of 2

verb

outlawed; outlawing; outlaws

transitive verb

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 from legal jurisdiction or enforcement
outlawry noun

Examples of outlaw in a Sentence

Noun Billy the Kid was one of the most famous outlaws of America's early history. Verb 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
Noun
The 2023 show, Lawmen: Bass Reeves, recounts the previously untold story of legendary United States marshal Bass Reeves (played by David Oyelowo), who brought over 3,000 outlaws to justice during his 30-year career. Emily Blackwood, Peoplemag, 2 Mar. 2024 Both are cheerfully anachronistic comedies about 18th century Englishmen fleeing conventional society to turn outlaw. Angie Han, The Hollywood Reporter, 1 Mar. 2024 Baldwin’s character was about to engage in a shootout with two actors portraying lawmen who were storming the church to nab Baldwin, who was playing a hardened outlaw named Harland Rust. Meg James, Los Angeles Times, 29 Feb. 2024 Blanchett leads an all-star ensemble cast in the movie adaptation of the video game series, playing Lilith, an outlaw who reluctantly returns to her home planet to find the missing daughter of a powerful weapons manufacturer. Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 21 Feb. 2024 Dennis Quaid and Donald Sutherland also star in the show, which is part of an anthology series that will follow other iconic lawmen and outlaws in future seasons. Emily Blackwood, Peoplemag, 2 Mar. 2024 The initial concept for Desperado was for the Eagles to write about anti-heroes, drawing parallels between the Old West outlaw and the rock & roll lifestyle, and the title cut marked the first co-write for band members Don Henley and Glenn Frey. Charisma Madarang, Rolling Stone, 2 Dec. 2023 Jonathan Majors cements his status as charismatic leading man as the raffish outlaw on a quest to hunt down those responsible for his requisite personal tragedy. Dennis Perkins, EW.com, 17 Jan. 2024 Bringing hippies and cowboys together with some killer music, interactive art stations, a makers marketplace and delicious food peddlers, Rebels & Renegades salutes the outlaw in all of us. Brittany Delay, The Mercury News, 1 Jan. 2024
Verb
Since the New Hampshire robocalls, however, the FCC has outlawed robocalls that contain voices generated by artificial intelligence, and major tech companies have signed a pact to adopt precautions voluntarily to prevent AI tools from being used to disrupt elections. Holly Ramer, Quartz, 14 Mar. 2024 Officers in San Francisco have been banned from aggressively chasing suspects in vehicles and shooting into moving vehicles since 2013; in Washington, chokeholds have been outlawed since 1985. Tom Jackman, Washington Post, 10 Mar. 2024 In 1968, the United States outlawed LSD and research projects were shut down or forced underground. Sandee Lamotte, CNN, 7 Mar. 2024 And to outlaw any attempt to charge a per-mile tax on driving. Mary Jo Pitzl, The Arizona Republic, 3 Mar. 2024 Shapiro: The Alabama Supreme Court ruling does not outlaw IVF explicitly, but the destruction of frozen embryos could be prosecuted for [wrongful death]. Sarah Handel, NPR, 27 Feb. 2024 In 2019, Indiana’s legislature outlawed dilation and evacuation, or D. & E., a procedure commonly used by doctors in the second trimester, when some major genetic or anatomic anomalies can first be detected and other complications may arise. Peter Slevin, The New Yorker, 25 Feb. 2024 Add the coaching change and a November schedule so tough it should be outlawed, and the Huskies are more likely to finish 6-6 than 10-2. Jon Wilner, The Mercury News, 16 Feb. 2024 But over time, these were outlawed or abandoned as too dangerous. Toby Muse, Rolling Stone, 3 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'outlaw.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English outlawe, from Old English ūtlaga, from Old Norse ūtlagi, from ūt out (akin to Old English ūt out) + lag-, lǫg law — more at out entry 1, law

First Known Use

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of outlaw was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near outlaw

Cite this Entry

“Outlaw.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/outlaw. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

outlaw

1 of 2 noun
out·​law ˈau̇t-ˌlȯ How to pronounce outlaw (audio)
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 verb
1
: to deprive of the protection of law
2
: to make illegal
dueling was outlawed
outlawry noun

Legal Definition

outlaw

1 of 2 noun
out·​law ˈau̇t-ˌlȯ How to pronounce outlaw (audio)
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

outlaw

2 of 2 transitive verb
: to make illegal
outlawry noun
Etymology

Noun

Old English ūtlaga, from Old Norse ūtlagi, from ūt out + lag lǫg law

More from Merriam-Webster on outlaw

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