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 Kelly said Seals was killed trying to interdict the suspects who later killed three others. — Jasmine Aguilera, Time, "What We Know About the Jersey City Shooting Victims, Including a Father-of-5 and a Young Mother," 12 Dec. 2019 McWhirter added this was the largest amount of explosive material seized since the protests began, and the first time police have interdicted completed bombs in the same time frame. — Joshua Berlinger, CNN, "Hong Kong police say they found two bombs meant to 'kill and to maim people'," 10 Dec. 2019 There were talks to expand vaccination efforts, interdict smugglers and amplify warnings to families considering a risky journey north. — Nick Miroff, Washington Post, "Viewing U.S. border cells derided as ‘cages,’ Central American officials pledge more immigration cooperation," 21 June 2019 The Supreme Court has consistently upheld the President’s authority to limit migration within parameters established by Congress, including a government policy during the 1990s of interdicting Haitians at sea. — The Editorial Board, WSJ, "The Chief Justice and the President," 27 Dec. 2018 Those people are interdicted at the border by Customs and Border Patrol. — Fox News, "Paul: Trump sees Mueller probe as 'accusation of collusion'," 18 July 2018 Finally, the United States will disrupt Iran’s activities, including by interdicting illicit weapons shipments. — Missy Ryan, Washington Post, "Pentagon to confront Iran’s expansion using indirect means, not open conflict," 26 Apr. 2018 In the years since, Bahraini authorities have moved to disrupt suspected militant cells and interdict operatives and weapons. — Souad Mekhennet, Washington Post, "In Bahrain, a smoldering insurgency reveals the resilience of Iran’s proxy war," 18 May 2018 First, Australia only needs to patrol two narrow sea corridors to interdict all migrant vessels trying to reach its territory, whereas the EU would need to police a line from Malta to Gibraltar—an almost impossible undertaking. — Simon Nixon, WSJ, "Europe’s Threadbare Migration Plan Only Buys Time," 2 July 2018

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.” The Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster Inc., https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/interdicting. Accessed 20 January 2020.

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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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