interdict

noun

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in·ter·dict | \ ˈin-tər-ˌdikt

Definition of interdict

(Entry 1 of 2)

1 : a Roman Catholic ecclesiastical censure withdrawing most sacraments and Christian burial from a person or district

2 : a prohibitory decree

interdict

verb

in·ter·dict | \ ˌin-tər-ˈdikt

interdicted; interdicting; interdicts

Definition of interdict (Entry 2 of 2)

transitive verb

1 : to lay under or prohibit by an interdict

2 : to forbid in a usually formal or authoritative manner

3a : to destroy, damage, or cut off (something, such as an enemy line of supply) by firepower to stop or hamper an enemy

b : intercept sense 1a interdict drug shipments

Other Words from interdict Synonyms & Antonyms Choose the Right Synonym Did You Know? Example Sentences Learn More about interdict

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Choose the Right Synonym for interdict

Verb

forbid, prohibit, interdict, inhibit mean to debar one from doing something or to order that something not be done. forbid implies that the order is from one in authority and that obedience is expected. smoking is forbidden in the building prohibit suggests the issuing of laws, statutes, or regulations. prohibited the sale of liquor interdict implies prohibition by civil or ecclesiastical authority usually for a given time or a declared purpose. practices interdicted by the church 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

Did You Know?

Interdict and interdiction are used for very serious prohibitions—more serious than, say, a professor telling the class that texting is forbidden during lectures. During the Middle Ages and Renaissance, an interdict was a sentence imposed by the powerful Catholic Church forbidding a person or place, and sometimes even an entire country, from receiving church privileges or participating in church functions. Interdict now often means "cut off" in a physically forceful way as well; interdictions are usually targeted at either arms supplies or illegal drug shipments.

Examples of interdict in a Sentence

Noun the church's controversial interdict against the use of birth control devices Verb the state legislature moved to interdict the use of radar-detection devices by motorists federal agents are able to interdict only a small percentage of the narcotic shipments into the country

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun South African Revenue Service Commissioner Tom Moyane will seek a legal interdict against Cyril Ramaphosa if the president does not stop trying to remove him from the tax agency, according to people familiar with the matter. — Paul Vecchiatto, Bloomberg.com, "South Africa Tax Chief Threatens Legal Action Over Job," 19 Mar. 2018 South African Revenue Service Commissioner Tom Moyane will seek a legal interdict against Cyril Ramaphosa if the president does not stop trying to remove him from the tax agency, according to people familiar with the matter. — Paul Vecchiatto, Bloomberg.com, "South Africa Tax Chief Threatens Legal Action Over Job," 19 Mar. 2018 Recent Examples on the Web: Verb No one was arrested, and the ultralight flew back to Mexico before federal agents were able to interdict it. — Anna Giaritelli, Washington Examiner, "Ultralight plane flies over border wall and drops $500,000 in hard drugs in California town," 4 Dec. 2020 Large physical barriers are considered most effective in more urban areas of the border, where agents have less time to interdict someone and prevent them from getting into a vehicle. — Nick Miroff, Washington Post, "Trump administration hires tech firm to build a virtual border wall, an idea Democrats have praised," 2 July 2020 His ability to interdict grain shipments led to hardship inside the walls. — Cullen Murphy, The Atlantic, "The Man Who Sacked Rome," 9 June 2020 Since closing the border between Michigan and Canada to all nonessential travel in March to limit the spread of coronavirus, U.S. Customs agents have interdicted firearms and nearly 3,000 pounds of narcotics, most of which was marijuana. — Frank Witsil, Detroit Free Press, "Border agents seize firearms and nearly 3,000 pounds of drugs," 19 May 2020 According to the university, Shen was working on his doctorate in decision sciences and engineering systems with a focus on interdicting interdependent networks. — Carma Hassan, CNN, "A New York university student called 911 but police say they could not pinpoint his location. He was found dead hours later," 21 Feb. 2020 The Perry-class frigates could operate as part of a carrier task force, act as a bodyguard for merchant convoys in dangerous waters, interdict drug shipments at sea, or show the flag during regional crises. — Kyle Mizokami, Popular Mechanics, "The U.S. Navy Looks To Europe for Its Next-Gen Frigate," 5 May 2020 As at December 17, no police officer has been interdicted as a result of any incidents relating to the protests in various districts since June 9. — Washington Post, "Statement from the Hong Kong police in response to questions from The Washington Post," 24 Dec. 2019 Those operations include escorting every cruise ship in the Port of Miami, the largest passenger port in the world, supporting operations at President Donald Trump's Mar-a-Lago resort and interdicting drugs and human trafficking in the high seas. — Rosa Flores, CNN, "Behind the scenes of securing the Super Bowl," 1 Feb. 2020

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'interdict.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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Cite this Entry

“Interdict.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/interdict. Accessed 27 Jan. 2021.

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More Definitions for interdict

interdict

noun

in·ter·dict | \ ˈint-ər-ˌdikt

Medical Definition of interdict

civil law

: one who has been determined to be incompetent to care for his or her own person or affairs (as by reason of mental incapacity)

interdict

noun

in·ter·dict | \ ˈin-tər-ˌdikt

Legal Definition of interdict

(Entry 1 of 2)

1 : something that prohibits

2 : one that has been interdicted — compare ward

interdict

transitive verb

in·ter·dict | \ ˌin-tər-ˈdikt

Legal Definition of interdict (Entry 2 of 2)

1 in the civil law of Louisiana : to deprive (a person) of the right to care for one's own person or affairs because of mental incapacity — compare commit, curator, tutor

2 : to authoritatively prohibit or bar (an act or conduct)

3 : to intercept or cut off (as a drug shipment) by force

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