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

But Fidian’s job — and that of hundreds of other drivers, medallion owners and stable hands — is expected to be wiped out Thursday as the City Council is expected to outlaw the industry amid growing concerns over safety. — Evan Simko-Bednarski, New York Daily News, 22 Oct. 2026 For example, the City Council passed a bill in 2019 to outlaw the sale of foie gras within city limits. — Marcia Kramer, CBS News, 22 Oct. 2026

Noun

For generations, Americans have been warned that the notorious outlaw liquor could leave them blind. — Stephanie Nolasco, FOXNews.com, 13 Oct. 2026 The dream of the traditionalist outlaw fighting for justice is much older than the movies. — Ian Buruma, New Yorker, 12 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for outlaw

Recent Examples of Synonyms for outlaw

Verb

Right now, California bans public money from funding political campaigns, except in a handful of cities like Berkeley and San Francisco.

— Kiara Adams, Sacbee.com, 3 Nov. 2026
The First World War did cause the telephone industry to be nationalized for a year, but this didn’t make much difference for users, notwithstanding a decree in Indiana that banned speaking German on the phone.

— Cal Revely-Calder, New Yorker, 2 Nov. 2026

Definition of ban

Verb

The policy prohibits the use of surveillance technology, discriminatory practices and unauthorized data collection.

— James Leigh, Arkansas Online, 4 Nov. 2026
Mahendra said the suspects would be charged under Article 258 of Indonesia’s new Criminal Code, which prohibits the unlawful interception, recording, diversion, alteration, obstruction or monitoring of nonpublic electronic communications.

— ABC News, ABC News, 3 Nov. 2026

Definition of prohibit

Noun

Attacks by bandits are common across northern Nigeria where armed groups carry out attacks against civilian populations.

— ABC News, ABC News, 27 Oct. 2026
Attacks by bandits are common across northern Nigeria, where armed groups carry out attacks against civilian populations.

— Dyepkazah Shibayan, Los Angeles Times, 27 Oct. 2026

Definition of bandit

Verb

The infamous plot to blow up the English government started with the anti-Roman Catholic Penal Laws of the 16th century—a series of laws that basically criminalized Roman Catholicism.

— Lucia Barnum, Encyclopedia Britannica, 29 Oct. 2026
Officials also proposed a series of measures, including criminalizing bid rigging.

— ABC News, ABC News, 29 Oct. 2026

Definition of criminalize

Verb

This has fueled fears among the state’s Republicans that many of those who broke for Trump in 2024 could stay home this year or, God forbid, vote for the Democrat who thinks God is nonbinary.

— Aidan McLaughlin, Vanity Fair, 30 Oct. 2026
Other law-enforcement agencies forbid or tightly regulate the pursuit maneuvers that FHP freely allows — including intentionally hitting cars at high speed and chasing someone in the wrong direction on a highway.

— Brittany Wallman, Miami Herald, 30 Oct. 2026

Definition of forbid

Noun

The trailers were recovered by police nearby, presumably after the criminals cut the locks to reveal they were each loaded with 20,000 pounds of sand.

— Nick Indge, ArsTechnica, 6 Nov. 2026
Without changing state law, criminals can continue to be sentenced to death in California.

— Sonja Sharp, Los Angeles Times, 5 Nov. 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

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 10 Nov. 2026.

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Synonyms of outlaw

verb

noun

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