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
Kathleen Wong, USA Today, 12 Dec. 2025
Set in 1878 Japan, Last Samurai Standing takes place in the post-feudal period when the few remaining samurai have become personas non grata, with a rapidly modernizing Japanese society shunning the once great warriors, and outlawing their swords.
—Abid Rahman, HollywoodReporter, 16 Nov. 2025
The president also argued that Republicans could pass legislation around election laws, including outlawing transgender women from competing in women’s sports and protecting gun laws.
—Brett Samuels, The Hill, 4 Nov. 2025
The legislature also passed a law outlawing the use of Medicaid for gender-affirming care.
—Sarah Henry, Louisville Courier Journal, 13 Oct. 2025
The floodplain has been redrawn wider than ever, outlawing home construction in new danger zones.
—Alaa Elassar, CNN Money, 1 Oct. 2025
His congressional pawns could have passed a law outlawing ridicule of the president.
—Matt Robison, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 Sep. 2025
This too is about students wanting to feel welcome–in the wake of the Supreme Court’s June 2023 decision outlawing affirmative action in admissions, applications to historically Black colleges like Howard University (#383) surged.
—Emma Whitford, Forbes.com, 26 Aug. 2025
Together with the Civil War Amendments, outlawing slavery and involuntary servitude and ensuring all citizens equal protection of the laws and due process of law, the Bill of Rights stands as a constant guardian of individual liberty.
—Liz Tracey, JSTOR Daily, 25 Aug. 2025
Verb
In 2022, Maui County broadened the statewide ban one step further by outlawing non-mineral sunscreens from Maui, Lanai and Molokai.
—Kathleen Wong, USA Today, 12 Dec. 2025
Set in 1878 Japan, Last Samurai Standing takes place in the post-feudal period when the few remaining samurai have become personas non grata, with a rapidly modernizing Japanese society shunning the once great warriors, and outlawing their swords.
—Abid Rahman, HollywoodReporter, 16 Nov. 2025
The president also argued that Republicans could pass legislation around election laws, including outlawing transgender women from competing in women’s sports and protecting gun laws.
—Brett Samuels, The Hill, 4 Nov. 2025
The legislature also passed a law outlawing the use of Medicaid for gender-affirming care.
—Sarah Henry, Louisville Courier Journal, 13 Oct. 2025
The floodplain has been redrawn wider than ever, outlawing home construction in new danger zones.
—Alaa Elassar, CNN Money, 1 Oct. 2025
His congressional pawns could have passed a law outlawing ridicule of the president.
—Matt Robison, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 Sep. 2025
This too is about students wanting to feel welcome–in the wake of the Supreme Court’s June 2023 decision outlawing affirmative action in admissions, applications to historically Black colleges like Howard University (#383) surged.
—Emma Whitford, Forbes.com, 26 Aug. 2025
Together with the Civil War Amendments, outlawing slavery and involuntary servitude and ensuring all citizens equal protection of the laws and due process of law, the Bill of Rights stands as a constant guardian of individual liberty.
—Liz Tracey, JSTOR Daily, 25 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for outlawing
Verb
-
In addition to West Virginia, six other states have targeted food dyes with new laws or executive orders, requiring warning labels on food with certain dyes or banning the sale of such products in schools.—
Alan Greenblatt,
CBS News,
12 Jan. 2026
-
Last year, the court upheld a Tennessee law banning gender-affirming care for minors — a ruling with repercussions across the country.—
Becca Savransky,
Idaho Statesman,
10 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Former Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms, the early polling front-runner, cited her history of battling the president in her first term, including a 2018 order prohibiting the city’s jail from accepting new detainees from federal immigration agents.—
Greg Bluestein,
AJC.com,
9 Jan. 2026
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In 2010, more than 60% of Florida voters approved a constitutional amendment prohibiting the drawing of district boundaries to unfairly favor one political party in a process known as gerrymandering.—
Mike Schneider,
Los Angeles Times,
8 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
No prohibition had been announced, but they would never be allowed to join a guild.—
George Packer,
The Atlantic,
6 Nov. 2025
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In Margaret Atwood’s chilling dystopian novel, The Handmaid’s Tale, the founders of the Republic of Gilead legislate a blanket prohibition on women’s employment and the seizure of their personal savings.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
6 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
City council members heard a proposal Monday night to modify the section of the Independence City Code restricting and criminalizing the ways that residents purchase, transport and consume cannabis.—
Ilana Arougheti,
Kansas City Star,
9 Jan. 2026
-
The ballot is dominated by parties perceived to be close to the military and hundreds have been arrested under a new law criminalizing obstruction, disruption and criticism of the poll.—
Ross Adkin,
CNN Money,
27 Dec. 2025
Verb
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But the pastor seems to know that merely forbidding corpse-killing is not enough to stop it.—
Rivka Galchen,
New Yorker,
7 Jan. 2026
-
Nora goes on to wonder how Agnes turned out stable in such a forbidding household.—
Shirley Li,
The Atlantic,
5 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Outlawing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/outlawing. Accessed 12 Jan. 2026.
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