Outlaw

Definition

Outlaw can function as a noun meaning a person who is declared as having broken the law and remaining at large or someone living outside the protection of the law; as a verb, it means to make something illegal or to declare a person as outside the protection of the law.

Parts of Speech

• Noun
• Verb (transitive)

Pronunciation

American English

• IPA: /ˈaʊt.lɔː/
• Respelling: OUT-law

British English

• IPA: /ˈaʊt.lɔː/
• Respelling: OUT-law

Etymology

Old English ūtlagu “outlawed person,” from ūt “out” + lagu “law,” originally someone “outside the law.”

Derivatives

• outlawry (noun)
• outlawed (adjective)
• outlawing (noun/gerund)

Synonyms

• (noun) fugitive, renegade, bandit, criminal
• (verb) ban, prohibit, forbid, proscribe

Antonyms

• (noun) law-abider, citizen
• (verb) legalize, permit, authorize

Usage

Noun: The noun "outlaw" is used in historical, legal, and literary contexts to refer to someone who has been declared outside the protection of the law. For example, "The sheriff pursued the outlaw across the frontier," or "Robin Hood is a legendary English outlaw who stole from the rich."

Verb: As a verb, "to outlaw" means to prohibit or forbid by law. For example, "Congress voted to outlaw the use of that pesticide," or "Many jurisdictions have outlawed texting while driving."

Related Terms

• Felon: A person convicted of a serious crime.
• Proscription: The act of forbidding or banning.
• Fugitive: Someone who is running from the law.
• Prohibition: The action of forbidding something by law.
• Renegade: A person who deserts a cause or principle.

Detailed Definitions

Noun

• A person declared outside the protection of the law – one who must be apprehended or punished, often living as a fugitive.
  • Example: "After the uprising failed, he became an outlaw in his own country."
• An individual living outside legal or social norms – someone who rejects societal rules.
  • Example: "The novel’s hero is a charismatic outlaw who challenges corrupt authorities."

Verb

• To make illegal or prohibit by law – to ban an activity or substance.
  • Example: "The city council voted to outlaw single-use plastic bags."
• To declare someone outside the protection of the law – to strip legal rights from an individual.
  • Example: "Historically, kings could outlaw traitors without trial."