interdict

noun in·ter·dict \ ˈin-tər-ˌdikt \

Definition of interdict

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

2 :a prohibitory decree

Examples of interdict in a Sentence

the church's controversial interdict against the use of birth control devices

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.

Origin and Etymology of interdict

Middle English, alteration of entredite, from Anglo-French, from Latin interdictum prohibition, from neuter of interdictus, past participle of interdicere to interpose, forbid, from inter- + dicere to say — more at diction

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 15th century

See Words from the same year

interdict Synonyms

Synonyms

ban, embargo, prohibition, interdiction, proscription, veto

Antonyms

prescription

Related Words

no-no, taboo (also tabu); constraint, inhibition, limitation, restraint, restriction; deterrent, discouragement; repression, suppression; prevention; denial, disallowance, negation, refusal, rejection; objection, protest; caveat, warning; no-no; commandment, decree, dictate, edict, injunction, mandate

Near Antonyms

sufferance, tolerance, toleration; allowance, allowing, authorization, clearance, consent, granting, leave, letting, license (or licence), licensing (also licencing), permission, permitting, sanction, sanctioning; approbation, approval, blessing, endorsement (also indorsement), imprimatur, OK (or okay); enabling, encouragement, facilitation, promotion, support; compliance, obedience, submission; accession, acquiescence, agreement, assent

interdict

verb in·ter·dict \ ˌin-tər-ˈdikt \

Definition of interdict

transitive verb

1 :to lay under or prohibit by an interdict

2 :to forbid in a usually formal or authoritative manner

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

b :intercept 2a

interdict drug shipments

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interdiction

play \ˌin-tər-ˈdik-shən\ noun

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interdictive

play \ˌin-tər-ˈdik-tiv\ adjective

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interdictor

play \ˌin-tər-ˈdik-tər\ noun

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interdictory

play \ˌin-tər-ˈdik-t(ə-)rē\ adjective

Examples of interdict in a Sentence

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 of interdict from the Web

DEA officials told lawmakers that, in the midst of a counternarcotics mission, civilians on a boat being interdicted fired first, prompting Honduran officers to return fire.

— chicagotribune.com, "Senators call for U.S. accountability in 2012 Honduran killings," 13 July 2017
The Waesche alone interdicted seven narco-boats during its latest mission, capturing about $266 million worth of drugs, according to the cutter’s commander, Capt.

— carl prine, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Coast Guard unloads 18 tons of cocaine seized on the high seas," 15 June 2017
The department is considering trained canine units as an option for interdicting the contraband cellphones.

— carol robinson, AL.com, "5 Alabama prison guards arrested in corruption probe," 30 May 2017
According to the Coast Guard, the 2,600 pounds of marijuana were interdicted by the Coast Guard Cutter Diligence in April about 80 miles south of Haiti.

— carli teproff, miamiherald, "Coast Guard offloads ton of pot in Fort Lauderdale after confiscation south of Haiti," 9 May 2017
Trump is also considering ways to help U.S. allies in the region bolster their ability to assist the U.S. in interdicting illicit shipments to Pyongyang.

— bill powell, Newsweek, "Kim Jong Un, Donald Trump and the Looming Nuclear Crisis in North Korea," 7 Mar. 2017

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.

First Known Use of interdict

15th century

interdict Synonyms

Synonyms

ban, bar, enjoin, forbid, outlaw, prohibit, proscribe

Antonyms

allow, let, permit, suffer

Related Words

deter, discourage, dissuade; clamp down (on), crack down (on), crush, put down, quash, quell, repress, silence, snuff (out), squash, squelch, subdue, suppress; halt, preclude, prevent, stop; embargo, exclude, rule out, shut out; debar, deprive, disallow, reject, repudiate, veto; bridle, check, curb, inhibit, rein (in), restrain; block, hinder, impede, obstruct

Near Antonyms

approve, endorse (also indorse), sanction; authorize, license (also licence), warrant; abet, advance, cultivate, encourage, forward, further, nourish, nurture, promote, support; bid, command, order; abide, bear, brook, countenance, endure, tolerate

Synonym Discussion of interdict

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

Medical Dictionary

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)

Law Dictionary

interdict

noun in·ter·dict \ ˈin-tər-ˌdikt \

legal Definition of interdict

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

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