outlaw

To make something against the law.

• The government outlawed the trade.
• Several countries have outlawed these weapons.
• Should the law outlaw advertising aimed at young children?

Similar words: ban, prohibit

Opposites: legalize

Common phrases: outlaw something, outlaw the practice

To make a debt or claim no longer enforceable by law.

• The rule outlawed the old debt.
• Does this time limit outlaw her claim?
• The statute outlawed claims brought more than six years later.

Common phrases: outlaw a debt, outlaw a claim

Someone who has broken the law and is hiding from the police.

• The outlaw hid in the hills.
• Police finally caught the outlaw near the border.
• The story follows two outlaws escaping from a sheriff.

Similar words: fugitive

Common phrases: wanted outlaw, capture an outlaw

Someone who refuses to follow the usual rules of society or a group.

• She was an outlaw among traditional painters.
• He dressed like an outlaw and ignored every social rule.
• The magazine celebrated artistic outlaws who challenged accepted ideas.

Similar words: rebel, nonconformist

Common phrases: social outlaw, artistic outlaw