as in prohibiting
the act of ordering that something not be done or used
the outlawing of cell phone use by motorists is intended to reduce accidents caused by distracted driving
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in banning
to make or declare contrary to the law
a push to outlaw smoking in all public buildings
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in forbidding
to order not to do or use or to be done or used
fed up with the constant interruptions, the physician has outlawed all cell phone use from his office
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of outlawing
Los Angeles Times, 18 Mar. 2026
Mariya Taher, co-founder and executive director of Sahiyo, a nonprofit fighting female genital mutilation, said the existence of state legislation outlawing the practice helps to counter beliefs in certain communities that female genital mutilation is necessary for girls.
—Emilia Otte, Hartford Courant, 12 Mar. 2026
These and other developments make this a moment of reckoning for lawmakers and wildlife officials who have repeatedly resisted outlawing vehicular killing of wildlife, or who have shied away from strengthening anti-cruelty laws.
—Wendy Keefover, Denver Post, 10 Mar. 2026
In 1875 Congress passed a civil rights act outlawing racial discrimination, but in 1883 the US Supreme Court invalidated the law.
—Literary Hub, 4 Mar. 2026
Criminalizing 'unlawful alert' and outlawing whistle blowing Senate Bill 1635 turns notifying someone that law enforcement is about to arrest them into a crime.
—Taylor Seely, AZCentral.com, 2 Mar. 2026
Following the 2022 invasion, the Kremlin passed a web of repressive laws effectively outlawing criticism of the war effort or government.
—Joanna Kakissis, NPR, 24 Feb. 2026
According to Mattus, the tree is relatively new to the invasive species list, but many states are now outlawing its sale—even the hybrids.
—Jennifer Lobb, Martha Stewart, 30 Jan. 2026
But some lawmakers in the State Affairs Committee bristled at the idea of outlawing all city and county flags.
—Idaho Statesman, 26 Jan. 2026
Verb
In 2024, Berkeley and Oakland passed ordinances outlawing discrimination based on family structure, including polyamorous relationships.
—Los Angeles Times, 18 Mar. 2026
Mariya Taher, co-founder and executive director of Sahiyo, a nonprofit fighting female genital mutilation, said the existence of state legislation outlawing the practice helps to counter beliefs in certain communities that female genital mutilation is necessary for girls.
—Emilia Otte, Hartford Courant, 12 Mar. 2026
These and other developments make this a moment of reckoning for lawmakers and wildlife officials who have repeatedly resisted outlawing vehicular killing of wildlife, or who have shied away from strengthening anti-cruelty laws.
—Wendy Keefover, Denver Post, 10 Mar. 2026
In 1875 Congress passed a civil rights act outlawing racial discrimination, but in 1883 the US Supreme Court invalidated the law.
—Literary Hub, 4 Mar. 2026
Criminalizing 'unlawful alert' and outlawing whistle blowing Senate Bill 1635 turns notifying someone that law enforcement is about to arrest them into a crime.
—Taylor Seely, AZCentral.com, 2 Mar. 2026
Following the 2022 invasion, the Kremlin passed a web of repressive laws effectively outlawing criticism of the war effort or government.
—Joanna Kakissis, NPR, 24 Feb. 2026
According to Mattus, the tree is relatively new to the invasive species list, but many states are now outlawing its sale—even the hybrids.
—Jennifer Lobb, Martha Stewart, 30 Jan. 2026
But some lawmakers in the State Affairs Committee bristled at the idea of outlawing all city and county flags.
—Idaho Statesman, 26 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for outlawing
Verb
-
The country’s then-supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, even went as far as issuing a fatwa, or legal ruling under Islamic law, banning them.—
Sophie Tanno,
CNN Money,
29 Mar. 2026
-
Beginning in 2025, parents planned their exits from states banning health care for their children.—
Tracy Baim,
Chicago Tribune,
29 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Rather than prohibiting unlicensed copies, the patent became, combined with the rise of the internet, a blueprint for pirates.—
Simon Akam,
Vanity Fair,
2 Apr. 2026
-
According to the Wisconsin Watersports Coalition, at least eight states have enacted statewide buffer zones prohibiting wakeboats from operating within 200, 300, or 500 feet of shorelines and docks.—
Dac Collins,
Outdoor Life,
2 Apr. 2026
Noun
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At the state level, a bill was passed in the Missouri House that would mirror the federal prohibition.—
Jack Harvel,
Kansas City Star,
26 Mar. 2026
-
But the state’s high court rejected that argument in a 4-3 decision, concluding there was no explicit prohibition against the Legislature doing redistricting more often.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
24 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Israel accused Lebanon's government of failing to carry out its pledge to disarm Hezbollah, despite its unprecedented steps toward criminalizing the group.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
26 Mar. 2026
-
The bill also takes the step of actually criminalizing grooming.—
Mary Murphy,
Twin Cities,
18 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
On a campy and subversive new album featuring Bladee, the Ukrainian black metal artist aspires to make the notoriously forbidding genre a little warmer.—
Sadie Sartini Garner,
Pitchfork,
31 Mar. 2026
-
Generally speaking, courts have ruled against people who violate a religious-neutral law while practicing their religion, including a notable 1990 case that found a man’s religious peyote use could still be penalized under an Oregon law forbidding it.—
Nate Gartrell,
Mercury News,
27 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Outlawing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/outlawing. Accessed 3 Apr. 2026.
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