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

If Shishkin is right that living literature has been outlawed inside Russia, then the future of Russian literature is already being written elsewhere. — Literary Hub, 13 Aug. 2026 However, executions have been put on hold in North Carolina, due a litany of several legal challenges and some methods, like lethal gas, being outlawed. — Charlotte Observer, 11 Aug. 2026

Noun

About 25 miles north on I-35 from downtown Kansas City sits Kearney, Missouri, hometown to that famous outlaw Jesse James. — Kansas City Star, 21 July 2026 Pop crossovers, polished ballads and the young seeds of bro-country were what populated the radio, but Church loved harder rock influences, outlaw heroes, and even the Muscle Shoals soul. — Marissa R. Moss, Rolling Stone, 16 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for outlaw

Recent Examples of Synonyms for outlaw

Verb

However, the former public servant was ultimately banned from leaving the country.

— Sylvie Zhuang, CNN Money, 16 Aug. 2026
All of this comes after Princess Eugenie chose to have her third child in Portugal, and reports that both Andrew and Fergie had been banned from the delivery room.

— Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 16 Aug. 2026

Definition of ban

Verb

Earlier this year, Greenwood Village also amended its municipal code to prohibit low power e-scooters and class 3 e-bikes from city paths, trails and sidewalks.

— Ashley Portillo, CBS News, 14 Aug. 2026
Beginning with the 2027-28 school year, Illinois public and charter schools must generally prohibit students from using personal wireless devices from their arrival through dismissal.

— Kavin Bendre, Chicago Tribune, 13 Aug. 2026

Definition of prohibit

Verb

The Marihuana Tax Act of 1937 effectively criminalized what until then had been legal cannabis.

— Bob Woods, CNBC, 15 Aug. 2026
Street vendors rallied outside Oakland City Hall Thursday, accusing the city of criminalizing people who are trying to earn a living as officials step up enforcement against unpermitted vending.

— Da Lin, CBS News, 14 Aug. 2026

Definition of criminalize

Verb

Silver Screen Collection/Getty Images These days, shorts are worn just about everywhere, including at work, even by Mayor Mike Spano, in the city where they were once forbidden.

— Mo Rocca, CBS News, 16 Aug. 2026
In theory, Daniels could sue LSU for misappropriation of his right of publicity, which forbids the unauthorized commercial use of a college athlete’s name, image, likeness, signature, voice, nickname and other identifying traits.

— Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 15 Aug. 2026

Definition of forbid

Noun

Spencer says filmmaker Douglas wanted to very much focus mostly on the women rather than talking about the criminals.

— Antonia Blyth, Deadline, 16 Aug. 2026
Depending on the plan, monitoring may cover credit activity, financial accounts, investment and retirement accounts, phone takeovers, SIM swaps, utility accounts and other areas where criminals may try to use your identity.

— Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 15 Aug. 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

In the national consciousness, Blackpool has become a morbid caricature of working-class Britain—a place where binge drinking, violence, and vomit are in view of teacup rides, kids on the beach, and plastic pirates.

— George Francis Lee, New Yorker, 12 Aug. 2026
For their day off, the crew is treated to a ride on a pirate ship and a day at a beach club.

— Emma Soren, Vulture, 11 Aug. 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 20 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of outlaw

verb

noun

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