1
as in bans
to make or declare contrary to the law
a push to outlaw smoking in all public buildings
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in forbids
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
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 outlaws
Nick Caloway, CBS News, 18 Apr. 2026
Even if the Supreme Court soon outlaws the use of race in shaping congressional districts, state lawmakers still have to work within Florida’s Fair Districts amendment.
—Jeffrey Schweers, The Orlando Sentinel, 11 Apr. 2026
By banning federal agencies from considering systemic racism or equity in AI development, the order effectively outlaws the very efforts needed to fix these problems.
—Joel Bervell, Time, 14 Nov. 2025
North Carolina The North Carolina Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) Commission outlaws the sale of alcoholic beverages through happy hour promotions.
—Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 18 Sep. 2025
Texas passed an artificial intelligence law in June that similarly outlaws the collection of biometric data without permission.
—Bobby Allyn, NPR, 28 Aug. 2025
But that route may no longer be open to them because of a crucial win by the Biden-era Justice Department against Alphabet last year, one where a federal judge deemed Alphabet and its search-engine business violated Section 2 of the Sherman Antitrust Act, which outlaws monopolies.
—Jim Cramer, CNBC, 10 Aug. 2025
Verb
The Invasive Species Management Act outlaws the sale and spread of 30 species, like the Bradford (or Callery) pear, Japanese barberry and running bamboo, throughout the Garden State.
—Nick Caloway, CBS News, 18 Apr. 2026
Even if the Supreme Court soon outlaws the use of race in shaping congressional districts, state lawmakers still have to work within Florida’s Fair Districts amendment.
—Jeffrey Schweers, The Orlando Sentinel, 11 Apr. 2026
By banning federal agencies from considering systemic racism or equity in AI development, the order effectively outlaws the very efforts needed to fix these problems.
—Joel Bervell, Time, 14 Nov. 2025
North Carolina The North Carolina Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) Commission outlaws the sale of alcoholic beverages through happy hour promotions.
—Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 18 Sep. 2025
Texas passed an artificial intelligence law in June that similarly outlaws the collection of biometric data without permission.
—Bobby Allyn, NPR, 28 Aug. 2025
But that route may no longer be open to them because of a crucial win by the Biden-era Justice Department against Alphabet last year, one where a federal judge deemed Alphabet and its search-engine business violated Section 2 of the Sherman Antitrust Act, which outlaws monopolies.
—Jim Cramer, CNBC, 10 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for outlaws
Verb
-
The law bans fees on the tax or tip portions of customers’ bills.—
Olivia Olander,
Chicago Tribune,
28 Apr. 2026
-
More than 60% of voters approved the Fair Districts Amendment in 2010, which bans partisan gerrymandering and redrawing maps to dilute the power of racial minorities.—
Romy Ellenbogen,
Miami Herald,
27 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The use of the term caused alarm as international humanitarian law explicitly forbids armed forces from denying enemy combatants to surrender and instead killing them.—
Christopher Cann,
USA Today,
30 Apr. 2026
-
As recently as last week, Martinez declined to say whether anyone had been disciplined as a result of Patton’s death, citing state law that forbids the release of peace officer personnel files.—
Kelly Davis,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
26 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Many of the toughest criminals taken into ICE custody were already in prison, but many others who were arrested have no criminal history.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
25 Apr. 2026
-
In the furthest part of space lies Dante 01, a detention facility that houses criminals who have committed the most shocking crimes imaginable.—
Sergio Pereira,
Space.com,
25 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The Take It Down Act criminalizes the publication of non-consensual intimate imagery, also known as NCII.—
Bethany Bruner,
USA Today,
9 Apr. 2026
-
As discussed earlier, the wire fraud statute criminalizes putting a plan into motion to wrongfully obtain money or property.—
Robert L. Boone,
Sportico.com,
31 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The resolution was spearheaded by Ohio Senator Bernie Moreno and immediately prohibits senators and staff from the markets.—
William Earl,
Variety,
30 Apr. 2026
-
Federal law prohibits noncitizens from voting in federal elections.—
David Zahniser,
Los Angeles Times,
30 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The movie is understood to follow a sheriff and a doctor who seek revenge against a group of bandits who use the cover of a torrential thunderstorm to rob and terrorize the occupants of a small town.—
Justin Kroll,
Deadline,
24 Apr. 2026
-
On Derby Day in 1923, four masked bandits raided the hotel poker room, escaping into the crowds with what would now amount to a small fortune.—
Hillary Richard,
Robb Report,
23 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Then rumors started spreading about armed brigands that would come to town to steal what little harvest folks had left, so towns raised militias to fight back.—
Popular Science Team,
Popular Science,
24 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Most are not desperados on the run.—
William Morris,
Des Moines Register,
4 Mar. 2026
-
These are desperadoes in the White House.—
Anne Thompson,
IndieWire,
26 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Outlaws.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/outlaws. Accessed 2 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
