outlaw

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "outlaw" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone or something that has been declared to be outside of the law or is acting outside of the law. Example sentence: The government deemed the group to be an outlaw organization and put a ban on their activities.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Bikies refer to themselves as outlaw motorcycle clubs, "1%" clubs or simply motorcycle clubs.

The Guardian

Most employment discrimination statutes outlaw adverse employment actions – they bar employers from hiring, firing or otherwise disadvantaging workers on the basis of one's race, sex or religion.

The Guardian - Opinion

Where mainstream politicians have collided with issues such as GamerGate – which promotes and justifies the violent harassment of women in the computer games industry – there are always "policy" answers: you can outlaw online harassment, refocus police priorities to protect the victims, etc.

The Guardian - Opinion

They have had an unprecedented effect on outlaw motorcycle clubs, prompting blanket police scrutiny of a secretive subculture that has included men who have collectively amassed hundreds of years in jail time in recent decades.

The Guardian

Last week on the Daily Show, correspondent Al Madrigal took a closer look at Oklahoma state senator Constance Johnson's proposed amendment to the state's "personhood" bill that would effectively outlaw the deposit of sperm anywhere outside of a woman's vagina.

The Guardian - Opinion

It turns out that, for years, China has forbidden its citizens from playing on video game consoles, claiming that they corrupt young people's squishy brains (the Labour MP, by contrast, only wants to outlaw "ultra violent" content, which he reckons is turning teenagers into rage-filled monsters).

The Guardian - Opinion

Will Congress take the next step and outlaw home antennas?

The Guardian - Opinion

I am too much of a literary outlaw for that.

The Guardian - Books

Two other politicians – Clive Palmer and Cathy McGowan – also announced they would present legislation to parliament to outlaw information-sharing that could lead to the death penalty being applied in foreign countries.

The Guardian

The group said that while the Maginness-Girvan motion wanted to outlaw private sector organisations such as Marie Stopes from carrying out some abortions, politicians in the assembly were also endorsing the use of profit-making private firms in the NHS.

The Guardian

Police have instead reverted to the more widely recognised "outlaw motorcycle gangs" or OMCG, the term used by the new police minister, Jo Ann Miller.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "outlaw" as a verb, ensure the context clearly indicates what is being prohibited. For example, "The new law will outlaw discrimination based on gender identity."

Common error

Avoid using "outlaw" when a milder term like "discourage" or "restrict" is more appropriate. "Outlaw" implies a complete legal ban, not just a discouragement.

Linguistic Context

The word "outlaw" functions primarily as both a noun, denoting a fugitive or someone outside the protection of the law, and a transitive verb, meaning to prohibit or make illegal. As Ludwig AI confirms, it’s usable in written English. Examples demonstrate its use in legal and social contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Formal & Business

33%

Science

32%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "outlaw" serves as both a noun and a verb, signifying either a fugitive from the law or the act of prohibiting something, as validated by Ludwig AI. Its usage is very common across diverse contexts, primarily in news, formal business settings, and scientific discussions. While grammatically correct, it's essential to use "outlaw" when referring to complete legal bans rather than milder restrictions. Alternatives like "ban", "prohibit", and "criminalize" offer nuanced options for expressing similar concepts. The analysis of usage patterns and writing guidance helps clarify the word's applications and prevent potential misinterpretations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

criminalize

Specifically refers to making something illegal under criminal law.

declare unlawful

Emphasizes the legal aspect of making something an "outlaw".

ban

Focuses on the act of prohibiting something officially.

prohibit

Similar to "ban" but often implies a more formal or legal restriction.

forbid

A common and general term for not allowing something.

make illegal

A more direct and less formal way of saying "criminalize".

interdict

A more formal and less common synonym for "prohibit".

suppress

Indicates the forceful prevention of something from happening or being expressed.

abolish

Implies the complete removal of a law, system, or practice.

nonconformist

Describes someone who does not follow established norms or laws.

FAQs

How to use "outlaw" in a sentence?

You can use "outlaw" as a verb meaning to prohibit something, as in "The government decided to outlaw the practice". It can also be used as a noun to describe a person who is a fugitive from the law.

What can I say instead of "outlaw"?

You can use alternatives like "ban", "prohibit", or "criminalize" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "outlaw" or "out law"?

"Outlaw" is the correct spelling when referring to a fugitive or the act of prohibiting something. "Out law" as two words is not standard usage.

What's the difference between "outlaw" and "ban"?

"Outlaw" typically implies a more formal or legal prohibition, while "ban" can refer to a broader range of prohibitions, including social or informal ones.