outlaw

1 of 2

noun

out·​law ˈau̇t-ˌlȯ 

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 (as a claim) from legal jurisdiction or enforcement

outlawry

ˈau̇t-ˌlȯr-ē 

noun

Synonyms of outlaw

Verb

• ban
• criminalize
• illegalize

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

For his battle-worn, brooding rendition of the heroic outlaw in the A24 film, the Les Misérables actor shows off a long gray beard paired with silver locks—a far cry from other Robin Hoods portrayed by actors like Kevin Costner, Sean Connery, and Russell Crowe. —Lara Walsh, InStyle, 6 Jan. 2026

At 97% fresh on Rotten Tomatoes, the pic stars Bill Skarsgård, Dacre Montgomery, Cary Elwes, Myha’la, Coleman Domingo and Al Pacino in a story inspired by the 1977 hostage standoff that turned aspiring entrepreneur Tony Kiritsis into an eccentric outlaw folk hero. —Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 6 Jan. 2026

Verb

Some towns outlawed flashing signs years ago in an attempt to modernize their codes and their cities’ appearances. —Noelle Phillips, Denver Post, 11 Jan. 2026

The challengers compared Hawaii’s law, which was enacted a year later, to states that resisted the Supreme Court’s 1954 landmark decision outlawing racial segregation in schools. —Zach Schonfeld, The Hill, 11 Jan. 2026

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

Rhymes for outlaw

• aa
• aha
• bashaw
• bradshaw
• byelaw
• bylaw
• chainsaw
• cheraw
• coleslaw
• crenshaw
• dada
• esau

Kids 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 verb

1

: to deprive of the protection of law

2

: to make illegal

dueling was outlawed

outlawry

ˈau̇t-ˌlȯ(ə)r-ē 

noun

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

outlaw

2 of 2 transitive verb

: to make illegal

outlawry

ˈau̇t-ˌlȯr-ē 

noun

Etymology

Noun

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