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
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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
Nada Bashir, CNN Money, 16 Apr. 2026
The administration shied away from outlawing such investments outright in 401(k)s.
—Business Columnist, Los Angeles Times, 10 Apr. 2026
This year also marks the 75th anniversary of an extraordinary case of student activism that helped lead to the Supreme Court’s decision outlawing segregated schools.
—Jonathan Entin, The Conversation, 2 Apr. 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
Sergio, a commentator and broadcast journalist for both NBC and ABC, was cited for signing a petition that urged outlawing antisemitism.
—Encyclopedia Britannica, 6 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
Verb
The Lebanese government, which includes political representatives from Hezbollah, has also moved to put pressure on the group, outlawing its paramilitary wing and ordering the country’s security forces to rid the capital, Beirut, of all non-state arms.
—Nada Bashir, CNN Money, 16 Apr. 2026
The administration shied away from outlawing such investments outright in 401(k)s.
—Business Columnist, Los Angeles Times, 10 Apr. 2026
This year also marks the 75th anniversary of an extraordinary case of student activism that helped lead to the Supreme Court’s decision outlawing segregated schools.
—Jonathan Entin, The Conversation, 2 Apr. 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
Sergio, a commentator and broadcast journalist for both NBC and ABC, was cited for signing a petition that urged outlawing antisemitism.
—Encyclopedia Britannica, 6 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for outlawing
Verb
-
Many are taking a more aggressive approach than Florida in identifying and banning suspect nurses, but the process can be difficult.—
Annie Martin,
The Orlando Sentinel,
8 May 2026
-
The language on the website isn’t clear whether the open-carry rollback is just a request, and optional, or is a firm store rule, like the one banning dogs inside stores.—
Michael Butler,
Miami Herald,
8 May 2026
Verb
-
Despite wooden signs prohibiting people reserving sun loungers with towels and then leaving them, the father-of-two said guests routinely ignored the warning.—
Charlotte Reck,
CNN Money,
7 May 2026
-
Tennessee Republicans act despite protests As a first step to adopting new House districts, Tennessee lawmakers gave final approval Thursday to legislation — quickly signed into law by Lee — that repealed a state law prohibiting mid-decade redistricting.—
Travis Loller,
Los Angeles Times,
7 May 2026
Noun
-
Other cruise lines are altering itineraries to route around places affected by the temporary prohibition.—
Patrick Connolly,
The Orlando Sentinel,
8 May 2026
-
Managers at various locations have already lifted prohibitions on hunting stands that damage trees and training hunting dogs, using vehicles to retrieve animals and hunting along trails, according to an NPCA review of site regulations the organization recently performed after learning of the order.—
Todd Richmond,
Twin Cities,
8 May 2026
Verb
-
Under President John Adams, the Federalists sought to eradicate French ideological influence by raising the bar to citizenship, lowering the bar to deportation, and criminalizing malicious criticism of the federal government.—
Daniel Immerwahr,
New Yorker,
4 May 2026
-
On the other, activists and civil liberties groups warn that aggressive prosecutions risk criminalizing dissent and chilling protest.—
Zachary Bynum,
CBS News,
23 Apr. 2026
Verb
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His experience gave him extensive, intimate knowledge of the southwestern United States, shaping his writing, which explored such themes as the sublime and forbidding wilderness, and human encroachment on nature.—
René Ostberg,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
7 May 2026
-
OpenAI leaned into the curious habit, choosing to highlight the goblin-forbidding prompt in a tweet.—
Frank Landymore,
Futurism,
30 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Outlawing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/outlawing. Accessed 13 May. 2026.
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