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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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

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 Southern Nevada has already dramatically reduced its use of Colorado River water by about 40% over the last 25 years, including by aggressively promoting the removal of thirsty grass and outlawing front-yard lawns for new subdivisions. — Ian James, Los Angeles Times, 24 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

Sally Rooney‘s publisher has pulled her books from UK shelves amid the country’s banning of a pro-Palestinian group.

— Glenn Garner, Deadline, 14 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

Nessel's office is calling for HailgateA2 to be dissolved and is also seeking a court order prohibiting Klein from selling tickets or memorabilia affiliated with U of M, Michigan Stadium or any other venue in the state.

— DeJanay Booth-Singleton, CBS News, 16 Oct. 2026
Authorities tried to physically suppress and contain dissent by prohibiting it and preventing protesters from entering certain public spaces.

— Pratap Bhanu Mehta, Foreign Affairs, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of prohibiting

Noun

Historically, politicians have kept a firewall between church and state to keep from crossing the First Amendment’s prohibition on a national religion or government restrictions that interfere with an individual’s expression of faith.

— Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 15 Oct. 2026
These young people have defied prohibitions on protest, breached draconian security clampdowns, and endured detentions to relentlessly question the government’s authority.

— Pratap Bhanu Mehta, Foreign Affairs, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of prohibition

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outlawed

outlawing

outlawry

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Style

“Outlawing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/outlawing. Accessed 21 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of outlawing

noun

verb

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