OUTLAWING Synonyms: 116 Similar and Opposite Words

outlawing 1 of 2

noun

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

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outlawing

2 of 2

verb

present participle of outlaw

as in banning

to make or declare contrary to the law a push to outlaw smoking in all public buildings

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

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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 outlawing

Verb

The Supreme Court agreed Monday to consider outlawing school diversity policies that limit Asian American students at magnet programs and selective high schools. — Howard Blume, Los Angeles Times, 19 Oct. 2026 After the Supreme Court ruling outlawing affirmative action, civil rights groups filed a federal complaint challenging Harvard’s legacy and donor preferences. — Jayson Weingarten, Fortune, 26 Sep. 2026 It was modeled on a law that the Nevada state legislature passed in 2021, outlawing the use of Colorado River water on ornamental grass and commercial, government and homeowners association properties in places like Las Vegas. — Paul Rogers, Chicago Tribune, 8 Sep. 2026 Increasingly, schools are outlawing mobile phones — as Maryland did in May of this year — and digital detox retreats are rising in popularity. — Thu T. Nguyen, Baltimore Sun, 27 Aug. 2026 Some leagues will require the same number of players to switch teams, essentially outlawing a 2-for-1 or 3-for-2 exchange. — Sports Betting, New York Times, 21 Aug. 2026 Denver has also considered outlawing natural gas in homes after implementing new restrictions on its use in commercial buildings. — Noelle Phillips, Denver Post, 7 Aug. 2026 But in the late 1970s, the country followed other nations in outlawing marijuana, and chased away the hippies who had flocked to the country. — ABC News, 5 Aug. 2026 In May 2025, it was further restricted to add that the Italian ancestor must have died an exclusively Italian citizen, essentially outlawing dual citizenship for the diaspora. — Julia Buckley, CNN Money, 4 Aug. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for outlawing

Noun

The measures include the banning and blocking certain features for users younger than 16.

— Dade Hayes, Deadline, 21 Oct. 2026
The 20th century text is updated with notes on cyberbullying, viral videos , school shootings, conspiracy thinking, conservative populism, book banning and even beer pong.

— Robert Lloyd, Los Angeles Times, 6 Oct. 2026

Definition of banning

Verb

In February of this year, Luo’s lawyers asked the court to dismiss the case, arguing that prosecutors were criminalizing settlement talks.

— Catherina Gioino, Fortune, 16 Oct. 2026
For example, Scalia famously cast the deciding vote in 1989 to hold unconstitutional a law criminalizing burning the American flag despite being a big patriot and despising such activities.

— Brian Fitzpatrick, The Conversation, 28 Sep. 2026

Definition of criminalizing

Verb

Nelson’s attorneys submitted a letter requesting an investigation into whether the city’s actions violated California law prohibiting the use of public resources for campaign activity.

— Nicole Buss, Sacbee.com, 23 Oct. 2026
But the starting assumption of these debates is that responsible business conduct legislation is inherently costly, and that weakening EU legislation and prohibiting more ambitious member state laws will reduce those costs.

— Ben Vanpeperstraete, Footwear News, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of prohibiting

Noun

Noncitizens who knowingly violate the prohibition on casting ballots can face fines or up to a year in prison under federal law or a state sentence of up to three years in county jail.

— Ben Paviour, Sacbee.com, 23 Oct. 2026
The Senate will soon weigh in on the latest Farm Bill, which now seeks to expand market opportunities for mink farmers by undoing a prohibition in federal law on subsidizing the fur trade.

— Nat Lash, ProPublica, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of prohibition

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outlawed

outlawing

outlawry

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“Outlawing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/outlawing. Accessed 29 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of outlawing

noun

verb

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