OUTLAWS Synonyms: 134 Similar and Opposite Words

outlaws 1 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of outlaw

as in bans

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 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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

outlaws

2 of 2

noun

plural of outlaw

as in criminals

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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 outlaws

Verb

Texas passed an artificial intelligence law in June that similarly outlaws the collection of biometric data without permission. — Bobby Allyn, NPR, 28 Aug. 2025 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 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 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 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

One section bans providing services without a permit and includes yoga as an example.

— Alex Wigglesworth, Los Angeles Times, 2 July 2026
The electoral authority based the candidate bans on a law against corrupt practices that in previous years saw some parliamentary seats bought with money linked to drug trafficking, corruption and tax evasion.

— ABC News, ABC News, 2 July 2026

Definition of bans

Verb

The agreement releases all survivors from any prior nondisclosure agreements and forbids any future such secrecy agreements, and prohibits any adult-to-minor digital communications in the archdiocese.

— Richard Winton, Los Angeles Times, 29 June 2026
Commodities law, which covers prediction markets, also forbids deceptive and misleading practices.

— Andrew Nusca, Fortune, 22 June 2026

Definition of forbids

Noun

Supporters will argue that criminals should not be able to hide behind wallets.

— Susie Violet Ward, Forbes.com, 2 July 2026
And just like Alito, some members of my family have forgotten our history and support Trump or favor some of his immigration policies, dismissing new arrivals as criminals or lazy.

— Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 1 July 2026

Definition of criminals

Verb

The attire had caused a stir in Qatar, a country that criminalizes gay relationships, and Grant was even briefly refused entry into the match.

— Sam McDowell July 1, Kansas City Star, 1 July 2026
The law criminalizes virtually all contact with the United States and Israel.

— Laura Secor, The Atlantic, 16 June 2026

Definition of criminalizes

Verb

The zone was established by the 1986 Treaty of Rarotonga, which prohibits nuclear weapons throughout the region.

— ABC News, ABC News, 6 July 2026
This ignores the obvious fact that the Constitution prohibits Congress from giving official status to any religion or from preventing someone from practicing the religion of their choice.

— Kenneth Seeskin, Chicago Tribune, 5 July 2026

Definition of prohibits

Noun

Instead, most are romantic stories about young lovers separated by fate, and the rest are swashbuckling adventures full of bandits and pirates.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 30 June 2026
Fantastical adventures ensue as the pair encounter a mysterious woman, Alexandra, who has lost her son, along with coyotes, bandits, and some pretty big secrets.

— Jennifer Ouellette, ArsTechnica, 29 June 2026

Definition of bandits

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outlawry

outlaws

outlay

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“Outlaws.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/outlaws. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of outlaws

verb

noun

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