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
-
Jaisimha said Colorado’s provisions banning AI companies from claiming specific expertise, for example, would be more robust than what other states have passed, along with the reporting requirements for AI companies in the bill.—
Nick Coltrain,
Denver Post,
26 Apr. 2026
-
Now, by neither embracing that bedlam nor banning it outright, the action gets stuck in limbo.—
Dave Quinn,
PEOPLE,
24 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The report also included policy recommendations for DHS, such as ending roving patrols, prohibiting federal agents from carrying tear gas and pepper spray as a regular course of practice and equipping all agents with body cameras.—
Selina Guevara,
NBC news,
30 Apr. 2026
-
Democratic lawmakers have introduced legislation to regulate the project and impose restrictions on donations -- aimed at prohibiting bribery.—
Emily Guskin,
ABC News,
30 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The Senate bill closely mirrors a version passed by the House last month, with the Senate version expanding the prohibition of civil immigration arrests in Massachusetts courthouses to additional locations, including child care facilities and public schools.—
Tim Dunn,
Boston Herald,
1 May 2026
-
And the Supreme Court limited when states can use race in redistricting, even when trying to comply with the Voting Rights Act’s prohibition against racial discrimination.—
Shauna Muckle,
Miami Herald,
1 May 2026
Verb
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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
-
Maintain local control, protect public spaces and stop criminalizing people for sleeping outside when no safe alternative exists.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
19 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
As far as forbidding a hairstyle in general goes, Silva sort of gets it.—
Elizabeth Gulino,
Allure,
28 Apr. 2026
-
Chess can seem abstruse and forbidding to the uninitiated, but Himelfarb’s account of it is as readable and comprehensible as any more familiar sports story—or, for that matter, any narrative in which a bunch of ambitious people pursue a single goal.—
Louisa Thomas,
New Yorker,
26 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Outlawing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/outlawing. Accessed 3 May. 2026.
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