Word
extrajudicial
Phoneticsex·tra·ju·di·cial
Definition
adj. done outside the normal court system, without a judge or trial. You see it in phrases like extrajudicial killing, which means killing by officials without a legal trial.
adj. occurring or carried out outside the authority of a court or formal legal process. Typically describes state action, such as killing, detention, or punishment, that bypasses judicial oversight.
Examples
“The report condemns extrajudicial arrests by local officials.”
“Human rights groups accuse the security forces of extrajudicial killings after several suspects die in custody without trial.”
“The commission found that extrajudicial detentions had become routine, eroding public trust in courts that were meant to check executive power.”
Examples
simple
“The report condemns extrajudicial arrests by local officials.”
contextual
“Human rights groups accuse the security forces of extrajudicial killings after several suspects die in custody without trial.”
complex
“The commission found that extrajudicial detentions had become routine, eroding public trust in courts that were meant to check executive power.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “extrajudicial” in context.
Verb
01. condemn extrajudicial
“The UN strongly condemned extrajudicial violence against civilians.”
verb + adj
02. document extrajudicial
“NGOs worked to document extrajudicial abuses in conflict zones.”
verb + adj
03. engage in extrajudicial
“The report accuses troops of engaging in extrajudicial violence.”
verb + prep + adj
Adjective
04. extrajudicial detention
“Rights groups protested the extrajudicial detention of journalists.”
adj + noun
05. extrajudicial execution
“Observers condemned the extrajudicial execution of political prisoners.”
adj + noun
06. extrajudicial killing
“The report documented dozens of extrajudicial killings by security forces.”
adj + noun
07. extrajudicial punishment
“The committee investigated claims of extrajudicial punishment in the region.”
adj + noun
Noun
08. allegation of extrajudicial
“The government denied any allegation of extrajudicial detention.”
noun + prep + adj
09. ban on extrajudicial
“Activists demanded a total ban on extrajudicial executions nationwide.”
noun + prep + adj
10. carry out extrajudicial executions
“Militias were accused of carrying out extrajudicial executions.”
11. condemn extrajudicial killings
“The council voted to condemn extrajudicial killings by state forces.”
12. investigate alleged extrajudicial killings
“Prosecutors promised to investigate alleged extrajudicial killings.”
Usage
Typically placed before the noun it modifies.
Real-World Examples
“Jammeh ruled The Gambia for more than 20 years after taking over in a coup in 1994 - a time marked by allegations of human rights abuses forced disappearances and extrajudicial killings.” “The Trump administration has killed at least 239 people in boat strikes denounced as extrajudicial killings.” “The Committee is concerned by multiple reports of extrajudicial killings and enforced disappearances of indigenous peoples in Papua, which have not been investigated despite the state party's commitment to do so, it said in a report.” “In March, the EHRC reported that all parties involved in the conflict had perpetrated human rights abuses, including extrajudicial killings, which could be classified as war crimes and crimes against humanity.” Related words
Domain
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/extrajudicial