OUTLAW Synonyms: 132 Similar and Opposite Words

outlaw 1 of 2

verb

Definition of outlaw

as in to ban

to make or declare contrary to the law a push to outlaw smoking in all public buildings

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to prohibit

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

outlaw

2 of 2

Example Sentences

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.

Recent Examples of outlaw

Verb

Several private schools in Ohio and Virginia permit paddling as discipline even though those states outlaw corporal punishment in public schools. — Jennifer Smith Richards, ProPublica, 16 July 2026 It could be read, for example, to outlaw an excess of sugary snacks during a bike race. — Zach Helfand, New Yorker, 13 July 2026

Noun

David is a hunted outlaw, forced to hide among his enemies and live yet another dangerous lie. — Tony Maglio, HollywoodReporter, 10 July 2026 And for the moment, the octogenarian outlaw is having a hell of a time with the task at hand. — Dac Collins, Outdoor Life, 1 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for outlaw

Recent Examples of Synonyms for outlaw

Verb

Printers not on the list would be banned from sale or transfer in California beginning in December 2029.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 19 July 2026
Nearly three years ago the city effectively banned home sharing.

— Nathan Blecharczyk, New York Daily News, 19 July 2026

Definition of ban

Verb

Wasserman also harkened back to the 1984 Los Angeles Games, when Mayor Tom Bradley prohibited delivery trucks during peak daytime hours.

— Barry Svrluga, New York Times, 24 July 2026
While some religions, including Hinduism and Islam, prohibit or discourage intoxication, others use alcohol to connect with the divine.

— Tim Brinkhof, Time, 23 July 2026

Definition of prohibit

Noun

People in northwest Nigeria are caught between regular attacks by bandit groups who specialize in kidnapping for ransom and Islamist militants who have been expanding their territory.

— ABC News, ABC News, 19 July 2026
Instead, most are romantic stories about young lovers separated by fate, and the rest are swashbuckling adventures full of bandits and pirates.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 30 June 2026

Definition of bandit

Verb

Nicaragua’s last election in 2021 was widely disputed after Ortega detained opponents and business leaders and criminalized dissent.

— CNN Money, CNN Money, 21 July 2026
The case drew condemnation from governments and human rights organizations, which argued the charges criminalized artistic expression and political dissent.

— Daniel Cassady, ARTnews.com, 20 July 2026

Definition of criminalize

Noun

California has some of the nation’s toughest gun laws, but state lawmakers are concerned that a new technology is allowing criminals to obtain firearms by building them from scratch.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 19 July 2026
This lengthy process was typical of ICE’s previous procedures to track down criminals, Sandweg said, which may have shifted under the demands of this administration’s daily arrest goals.

— Nicki Brown, CNN Money, 18 July 2026

Definition of criminal

Verb

Basis for the suit to illegalize the union, lawyers explained, is the difference in race between the participants.

— sandiegouniontribune.com, sandiegouniontribune.com, 28 Feb. 2018
Rather than negotiating a political agreement, Madrid decided to illegalize Basque political parties allegedly linked with terrorism and to prosecute their leaders.

— Sergi Pardos-Prado, Washington Post, 28 Oct. 2017

Definition of illegalize

Noun

Sources tell Deadline that Sony Pictures is in negotiations to land the project, with Scott directing and Jackman on board to play the pirate Long John Silver.

— Justin Kroll, Deadline, 22 July 2026
This uprising of students at the Athens Polytechnic University and their famous pirate-radio broadcasts are commonly understood to be the beginning of the end of the junta.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 20 July 2026

Definition of pirate

Browse Nearby Words

outlasts

outlaw

outlawed

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Cite this Entry

Style

“Outlaw.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/outlaw. Accessed 24 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of outlaw

verb

noun

Example Sentences

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