outlaw

8 synonyms and 2 antonyms for outlaw, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.

Noun — A person who has broken the law and is hiding or on the run from it.

Synonyms

Everyday swaps

Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.

criminal

Less common

Still standard English, but they carry more weight.

crook

Rare, literary or technical

Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.

felon malefactor illegalize illegalise criminalize criminalise

Synonyms by Meaning

1. noun

A person who has broken the law and is hiding or on the run from it.

“The gang of outlaws hid out in the hills for months.”

criminal crook felon malefactor illegalize illegalise criminalize criminalise

2. verb

To make something illegal, or to declare a person an outlaw.

“The new law outlawed the sale of the drug nationwide.”

illegalise criminalise criminalize illegalize

Opposites

legalize legalise

How to use outlaw

The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.

a wanted outlaw outlaw a practice declared an outlaw

Etymology

From Old English utlaga, "outlaw," borrowed from Old Norse utlagi — someone put "outside the law." Same out- root as outside and outward.

Full origin of outlaw →

Frequently asked questions

What does “outlaw” mean?

The word “outlaw” means a person who has broken the law and is hiding or on the run from it. In plain terms, someone who breaks the law and lives beyond its protection, or (as a verb) to ban something by law.

How do you pronounce “outlaw”?

“Outlaw” is pronounced OWT-law (/ˈaʊt.lɔ/ in IPA).

How do you use “outlaw” in a sentence?

Here is “outlaw” used in a sentence: “The gang of outlaws hid out in the hills for months.”

What part of speech is “outlaw”?

Depending on how it is used, “outlaw” can be a noun and a verb.

Where does the word “outlaw” come from?

The word “outlaw” comes from Old English. From Old English utlaga, "outlaw," borrowed from Old Norse utlagi — someone put "outside the law." Same out- root as outside and outward.

Is “outlaw” a common word?

“Outlaw” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.

How many meanings does “outlaw” have?

“Outlaw” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a person who has broken the law and is hiding or on the run from it.

Related words

criminalize felonize misdemeanorize scofflaw

People also searched

criminal crook legalize legalise criminalize illegalize criminalise illegalise malefactor felon

Nearby words

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