outlaw

1 of 2

noun

out·​law ˈau̇t-ˌlȯ How to pronounce outlaw (audio)
Synonyms of outlawnext
1
: a person excluded from the benefit or protection of the law
2
a
: a lawless person or a fugitive from the law
b
: a person or organization under a ban or restriction
c
: one that is unconventional or rebellious
3
: an animal (such as a horse) that is wild and unmanageable
outlaw adjective

outlaw

2 of 2

verb

outlawed; outlawing; outlaws

transitive verb

1
a
: to deprive of the benefit and protection of law : declare to be an outlaw
b
: to make illegal
outlawed dueling
2
: to place under a ban or restriction
3
: to remove (as a claim) from legal jurisdiction or enforcement
outlawry
ˈau̇t-ˌlȯr-ē How to pronounce outlaw (audio)
noun

Synonyms of outlaw

Relevance

Verb

See All Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus

Examples of outlaw in a Sentence

Noun Billy the Kid was one of the most famous outlaws of America's early history. Verb That type of gun was outlawed last year. The government passed a bill outlawing the hiring of children under the age of 12.
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Noun
The bans at the center of the consolidated case outlaw the purchase of AR-15 and similar semiautomatic rifles, with the justices set to rule on whether those bans violate the Second or 14th amendments. — Jack Birle, The Washington Examiner, 23 Oct. 2026 The law puts a stop to the issuance of new carriage-horse licenses and outlaws the industry entirely by the summer of 2028. — Evan Simko-Bednarski, New York Daily News, 22 Oct. 2026
Verb
Five states have initiatives on the ballot to outlaw trans athletes in girls’ sports and gender transition treatment for children. — Annie Gowen, Washington Post, 27 Oct. 2026 His campaign told Fox News Digital that the conviction stemmed from displaying a sticker of the late Rabbi Meir Kahane, whose Kach party was outlawed in 1994, and reflected his support for a Jewish nationalist movement. — Amelie Botbol, FOXNews.com, 25 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for outlaw

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English outlawe, from Old English ūtlaga, from Old Norse ūtlagi, from ūt out (akin to Old English ūt out) + lag-, lǫg law — more at out entry 1, law

First Known Use

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of outlaw was before the 12th century

Rhymes for outlaw

See All Rhymes for outlaw

Browse Nearby Words

outlaugh
outlaw
outlawry
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Outlaw.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/outlaw. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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Kids Definition

outlaw

1 of 2 noun
out·​law ˈau̇t-ˌlȯ How to pronounce outlaw (audio)
1
: a person who is not given the protection of the law
2
: a lawless person or one who is running away from the law
3
: an animal (as a horse) that is wild and hard to control
outlaw adjective

outlaw

2 of 2 verb
1
: to deprive of the protection of law
2
: to make illegal
dueling was outlawed
outlawry
ˈau̇t-ˌlȯ(ə)r-ē How to pronounce outlaw (audio)
noun

Legal Definition

outlaw

1 of 2 noun
out·​law ˈau̇t-ˌlȯ How to pronounce outlaw (audio)
1
: a person excluded from the benefit or protection of the law
a trespasser is not an outlaw
2
: a lawless person or a fugitive from the law
3
: a person or organization (as a nation) under a ban or restriction or considered to be in defiance of norms or laws
considered an outlaw for its support of terrorism

outlaw

2 of 2 transitive verb
: to make illegal
outlawry
ˈau̇t-ˌlȯr-ē How to pronounce outlaw (audio)
noun
Etymology

Noun

Old English ūtlaga, from Old Norse ūtlagi, from ūt out + lag, lǫg law

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