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

The show starred Hunnam as Jax Teller, a man who takes over a California Central Valley outlaw motorcycle club that was previously run by his father. — James Hibberd, HollywoodReporter, 19 Aug. 2026

But Medora is more prosperous; in lieu of dollar stores, there is relentless outlaw kitsch. — Rachel Monroe, New Yorker, 17 Aug. 2026

Verb

Proposition 42 would outlaw retroactive taxation, directly countering Proposition 40 and killing the wealth tax. — Joshua Hong, Fortune, 21 Aug. 2026

On the national level, lawmakers have proposed bipartisan legislation that would outlaw seclusion and further limit restraint in schools that receive federal funding. — CBS News, 17 Aug. 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