interdict 1 of 2

interdict

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verb

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb interdict differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of interdict are forbid, inhibit, and prohibit. While all these words mean "to debar one from doing something or to order that something not be done," interdict implies prohibition by civil or ecclesiastical authority usually for a given time or a declared purpose.

practices interdicted by the church

When is forbid a more appropriate choice than interdict?

While in some cases nearly identical to interdict, forbid implies that the order is from one in authority and that obedience is expected.

smoking is forbidden in the building

When is it sensible to use inhibit instead of interdict?

Although the words inhibit and interdict have much in common, inhibit implies restraints or restrictions that amount to prohibitions, not only by authority but also by the exigencies of the time or situation.

conditions inhibiting the growth of free trade

In what contexts can prohibit take the place of interdict?

In some situations, the words prohibit and interdict are roughly equivalent. However, prohibit suggests the issuing of laws, statutes, or regulations.

prohibited the sale of liquor

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of interdict
Noun
Saudi Arabia and the UAE interdict millions of pills each year. Vanda Felbab-Brown, Foreign Affairs, 11 Apr. 2024 While the effort to interdict migrants, including traffickers in fentanyl, continues, another topic Texas is only slowly beginning to discuss is how to make more widely available some potentially life-saving devices – fentanyl test strips. Dallas News, 28 Apr. 2022
Verb
In the 2023 fiscal year, federal authorities interdicted nearly 12,000 migrants in the Florida Straits, Windward Passage, Mona Passage and Caribbean Sea, the majority who were Cuban and Haitian, the U.S. Coast Guard said in a news release last month. Angie Dimichele, Sun Sentinel, 27 May 2024 On my trip to Jordan, I was told that the U.S. had provided authorities there with scanners and other equipment for interdicting trafficked substances. Ed Caesar, The New Yorker, 4 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for interdict 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for interdict
Noun
  • But on Thursday, Gov. Gavin Newsom extended prohibitions on motel, hotel and rental housing to March 8.
    JANIE HAR THE ASSOCIATED PRESS, arkansasonline.com, 20 Jan. 2025
  • And more relief should soon be on the way — Governor Gavin Newsom recently issued an executive order to expedite temporary housing for wildfire evacuees, streamline the construction of accessory dwelling units, and extend the prohibition of price gouging.
    Mae Hamilton, Travel + Leisure, 16 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • Direct interference with another institution’s committed player and contractual interests is prohibited by NCAA tampering rules and the law.
    Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 19 Jan. 2025
  • Under the law, mobile app stores are barred from offering TikTok and internet hosting services are prohibited from delivering the service to American users.
    Haleluya Hadero, Los Angeles Times, 19 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • In an effort to intercept and hamper these missions, the Nazis occupied Svalbard and set up intelligence stations that could gather weather data to help aid in attacks on Allied ships.
    James Patton Rogers & Caroline Kennedy Pipe / Made by History , TIME, 23 Jan. 2025
  • On 22 attempts Sunday, Allen did not have a single pass broken up or intercepted.
    Derrik Klassen, The Athletic, 22 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • TikTok users, backed by the company, want the Supreme Court to weigh in, saying the ban is unconstitutional.
    Brittney Melton, NPR, 17 Jan. 2025
  • With no agreement reached and with the Court siding with the government, the ban seems inevitable.
    Yaakov Katz, Newsweek, 17 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • Especially since active duty troops are forbidden from doing law enforcement under the Posse Comitatus Act.
    Raul A. Reyes, Newsweek, 23 Jan. 2025
  • The executive order does not mention key Trump campaign promises like banning gender-affirming care for minors or forbidding trans youth from competing on school sports teams that align with their gender.
    Abby Monteil, Them, 21 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • Importantly, the act does not outlaw individual users from accessing TikTok.
    Jill Goldenziel, Forbes, 19 Jan. 2025
  • Immigration detention in county jails was outlawed in Illinois in 2022 with the Illinois Way Forward Act.
    Nell Salzman, Chicago Tribune, 19 Jan. 2025

Thesaurus Entries Near interdict

Cite this Entry

“Interdict.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/interdict. Accessed 31 Jan. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on interdict

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