ENJOIN Synonyms: 140 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the verb 'enjoin' contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of enjoin are bid , charge , command , direct , instruct , and order . While all these words mean "to issue orders," enjoin implies giving an order or direction authoritatively and urgently and often with admonition or solicitude. // a sign enjoining patrons to be quiet

Q: When can 'bid' be used instead of 'enjoin'?

Although the words bid and enjoin have much in common, bid suggests giving orders peremptorily (as to children or servants). // she bade him be seated

Q: How do 'charge' and 'enjoin' relate to one another?

Charge adds to enjoin an implication of imposing as a duty or responsibility. // charged by the President with a secret mission

Q: How are the words 'command' and 'order' related as synonyms of 'enjoin'?

Both command and order imply authority and usually some degree of formality and impersonality; command stresses official exercise of authority. // a general commanding troops

Q: How does the word 'direct' relate to its synonym 'instruct', in the sense of 'enjoin'?

Direct and instruct both connote expectation of obedience and usually concern specific points of procedure or method, instruct sometimes implying greater explicitness or formality. // directed her assistant to hold all calls // the judge instructed the jury to ignore the remark

Q: Where would 'order' be a reasonable alternative to 'enjoin'?

While the synonyms order and enjoin are close in meaning, order may suggest peremptory or arbitrary exercise. // ordered his employees about like slaves

enjoin

verb

in-ˈjȯin

Definition of enjoin

as in to demand

to ask for (something) earnestly or with authority police enjoined the community's full cooperation in getting rid of the drug dealers

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to instruct

to issue orders to (someone) by right of authority undeterred, the captain enjoined his crew to sail at full speed into the mine-filled harbor

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to prohibit

to order not to do or use or to be done or used Quakerism enjoins the taking of human life

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb enjoin contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of enjoin are bid, charge, command, direct, instruct, and order. While all these words mean "to issue orders," enjoin implies giving an order or direction authoritatively and urgently and often with admonition or solicitude.

a sign enjoining patrons to be quiet

When can bid be used instead of enjoin?

Although the words bid and enjoin have much in common, bid suggests giving orders peremptorily (as to children or servants).

she bade him be seated

How do charge and enjoin relate to one another?

Charge adds to enjoin an implication of imposing as a duty or responsibility.

charged by the President with a secret mission

How are the words command and order related as synonyms of enjoin?

Both command and order imply authority and usually some degree of formality and impersonality; command stresses official exercise of authority.

a general commanding troops

How does the word direct relate to its synonym instruct, in the sense of enjoin?

Direct and instruct both connote expectation of obedience and usually concern specific points of procedure or method, instruct sometimes implying greater explicitness or formality.

directed her assistant to hold all calls

the judge instructed the jury to ignore the remark

Where would order be a reasonable alternative to enjoin?

While the synonyms order and enjoin are close in meaning, order may suggest peremptory or arbitrary exercise.

ordered his employees about like slaves

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 enjoin Only one section of the president’s executive order on this care is currently enjoined. — Theresa Gaffney, STAT, 14 Aug. 2026 Some of the restrictions enjoined by the decision have been on the books since 1997. — Matthew Kelly, Kansas City Star, 4 Aug. 2026 Her lush videos lure and enjoin viewers to try their hand at her style of vegan cooking. — Scott Hocker, TheWeek, 29 July 2026 If the court agrees, Minnesota could be enjoined from enforcing the law against any nudification app. — Ashley Belanger, ArsTechnica, 29 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for enjoin

Recent Examples of Synonyms for enjoin

Verb

Speed, volume and rapidly shifting vectors are why a base of automation is required, while complexity and risk are the factors that demand human intervention.

— Carlos Morales, Forbes.com, 13 Oct. 2026
Depending on the route, manufacturers can add protective layers and steel-wire armoring to help the cable withstand demanding conditions, particularly in shallower waters where anchors and fishing equipment pose greater risks.

— Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of demand

Verb

Federal law prohibits the commercial sale of unapproved drugs, but that hasn't stopped vendors from selling imitation versions of the experimental drug online at a scale with no modern precedent.

— Daniel Gilbert, CBS News, 13 Oct. 2026
Believe it or not, the license prohibits that in the Beach Boys.

— Andy Greene, Rolling Stone, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of prohibit

Verb

Years of integrating services, supported by money and the authority to require involvement, help explain Abu Dhabi’s progress.

— Inzamam Rashid, Fortune, 14 Oct. 2026
The bag does the color blocking for you, adding an unexpected hit of color without requiring you to overthink the styling.

— Sandra Salibian, Footwear News, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of require

Verb

All three are crime drama-thrillers, the most exportable and ordered of program types, but all three reject tropes of the genre.

— John Hopewell, Variety, 10 Oct. 2026
The court also barred him from the train operator for 12 months, ordered 80 hours of unpaid work and 10 rehabilitation activity days, and ordered him to pay £5,000 in compensation to Southeastern, £150 in costs and a £187 victim surcharge.

— Catherina Gioino, Fortune, 9 Oct. 2026

Definition of order

Verb

The new agent would then deal with the team on the player's behalf in requesting a trade — which is rarely a pleasant conversation.

— Armando Salguero OutKick, FOXNews.com, 14 Oct. 2026
That total included voters who requested ballots delivered by mail, as well as those who requested print-at-home ballots via email, the SBE said.

— Bryan Lynn, CBS News, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of request

Verb

Some economists, including researchers at the Minneapolis Fed, argue the data don’t tell such a clean story.

— Molly A. Wallace, Fortune, 16 Oct. 2026
The company agrees with skeptics like the NFL that justices must eventually opine on whether states and tribes should regulate its sports event contracts as sports bets, a Supreme Court litigator working with Kalshi told Semafor.

— Eleanor Mueller, semafor.com, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of tell

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enigmatic

enjoin

enjoined

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“Enjoin.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/enjoin. Accessed 16 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of enjoin

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