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
There are no restraining orders, injunctions or interdicts anywhere. Brendan Le, Peoplemag, 9 May 2024 Environmental and community groups in South Africa's Eastern Cape province won an urgent interdict to stop the surveys in December last year and are now asking the court to permanently halt the operations. Mogomotsi Magome, ajc, 2 June 2022
Verb
From at least as early as January 2015 through September 2019, the U.S. Coast Guard interdicted at least four vessels, including two semi-submersibles, directly linked to Quintero Rengifo's organization, and involving more than 13,000 kilograms of cocaine, prosecutors said. Michael Loria, USA TODAY, 14 Mar. 2025 The federal government has long sought to prevent the horrors of drug addiction by interdicting the supply of dangerous psychoactive drugs -- and reducing demand for them. Paul J. Larkin, National Review, 11 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for interdict
Recent Examples of Synonyms for interdict
Noun
  • Reports earlier this week suggested Chinese officials had been contemplating a prohibition on Hollywood features, which would have dealt a major blow to entertainment companies struggling to rebuild after the pandemic and labor strikes.
    Kevinisha Walker, Los Angeles Times, 12 Apr. 2025
  • Weiss said the prohibition was part of the city’s liquor ordinance.
    Steve Sadin, Chicago Tribune, 8 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Louisiana’s legislation might also violate the U.S. Constitution, which prohibits laws that retroactively increase the severity of a person’s criminal sentence, according to several legal scholars.
    Richard A. Webster, ProPublica, 10 Apr. 2025
  • That goal is also the impetus behind Senate Bill 19, legislation that would prohibit taxpayer dollars from being used to pay for contract lobbyists.
    Patrick Gleason, Forbes.com, 9 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Walking to the front of the funeral parlor, I was intercepted by Donna, Bill and Mary Kay, children of Dan Whitters, my late father’s close friend who had married his cousin Betty.
    David McGrath, Chicago Tribune, 18 Apr. 2025
  • Different types of systems are suited to intercepting various types of incoming threats, from slow-moving explosive drones to hypersonic missiles.
    Arick Wierson, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • On Tuesday, reports from China suggested that the country was mulling a ban or a reduction on the number of Hollywood films.
    Patrick Brzeski, HollywoodReporter, 10 Apr. 2025
  • Some of the requests included the elimination of Harvard’s diversity, equity and inclusion programs and a ban on masks at campus protests, student-run newspaper The Harvard Crimson and other outlets reported.
    Samantha Waldenberg, CNN Money, 9 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Ord also forbade any state money to be paid to the families of deceased Confederate soldiers if the same amounts were not also made available to the families of Union soldiers.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 19 Apr. 2025
  • The Constitution explicitly forbids Congress from issuing bills of attainder—laws that single out individuals for punishment without trial.
    Tony Bradley, Forbes.com, 18 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Utah recently became the first state to outlaw adding fluoride to public water, and several other states, including Florida, are considering similar action.
    Emily Cochrane, New York Times, 11 Apr. 2025
  • In the absence of federal law, several states have already taken steps to outlaw AI deepfakes, including California and Tennessee.
    Gene Maddaus, Variety, 9 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Interdict.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/interdict. Accessed 22 Apr. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on interdict

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