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
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.
Noun
Movie follows the true story of the 1977 kidnapping that turned aspiring Indianapolis entrepreneur Tony Kiritsis into an eccentric outlaw folk hero. Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 14 Oct. 2025 In this adventure, she is eventually rescued from her secluded tower by an outlaw named Flynn Rider. Rebecca Rubin, Variety, 9 Oct. 2025
Verb
Democrats generally have been more successful at utilizing mail ballots, which has a lot to do with why Trump and Republicans want to outlaw or limit them. Michael Smolens, San Diego Union-Tribune, 19 Oct. 2025 Courts undid Nixon’s actions, and Congress eventually passed the Impoundment Control Act of 1974, which outlawed the maneuver, leaving only narrow exceptions — rescissions — that required congressional sign-off. Andy Kroll, ProPublica, 18 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for outlaw

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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Outlaw.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/outlaw. Accessed 22 Oct. 2025.

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

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!