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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 The decision of a Maryland district judge, Adam Abelson, enjoining the administration’s anti-DEI policies is especially vulnerable, defying an electoral mandate and the Supreme Court’s own turn to a color-blind constitution. George Liebmann, Baltimore Sun, 2 July 2025 In collaboration with the firm’s Civil Law Reform Unit and pro bono partners, the team also brings class action lawsuits to enjoin federal immigration policies, such as the denial of relief. Mia Cathell, The Washington Examiner, 29 June 2025 If Senate Bill 3 is swiftly enjoined by a court, our children will be no safer than if no law was passed, and the problems will only grow. Kate Plummer, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 June 2025 The district court found the statute facially unconstitutional and preliminarily enjoined its enforcement. Erik Ortiz, NBC news, 20 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for enjoin
Recent Examples of Synonyms for enjoin
Verb
  • Moreover, regenerative agriculture demands patience.
    Esha Chhabra, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2025
  • The choice to hold off on a rate cut will almost certainly result in further conflict between the Fed and White House, as Trump has repeatedly demanded that the central bank reduce borrowing costs as part of his effort to assert control over one of the few remaining independent federal agencies.
    Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 31 July 2025
Verb
  • The offspring were given the reins and instructed to turn it into an upscale RV and glamping resort.
    Jeffrey Steele, Forbes.com, 4 Aug. 2025
  • The Democrats’ mass exodus was reportedly brokered by Gov. JB Pritzker (D-IL), who has instructed his staff to provide any logistical assistance to the state lawmakers, at least some of whom will be staying for all of this week.
    Zach LaChance, The Washington Examiner, 4 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • The policy prohibits routine meals and says food purchases must serve a business purpose, such as recognition events or emergency operations.
    Ella McCarthy, Austin American Statesman, 31 July 2025
  • Thus, the creditor requested and the court granted an injunction which prohibited the debtors from transferring away their membership interests in the LLCs until the judgment had been satisfied.
    Jay Adkisson, Forbes.com, 30 July 2025
Verb
  • These systems tend to short-cycle—turning on and off in quick succession—requiring more electricity to repeatedly start the compressor than to simply run it steadily.
    Brynn Cooksey, Forbes.com, 30 July 2025
  • Segura said the plan, as outlined by the TEA, requires the affected schools to have a principal with turnaround experience and teachers who meet certain performance requirements.
    Keri Heath, Austin American Statesman, 30 July 2025
Verb
  • After being found not guilty, a judge ordered him committed to the Center for Forensic Psychiatry in Saline for a period of at most 60 days.
    Arpan Lobo, Freep.com, 29 July 2025
  • He was sentenced to three years of supervised release, including one year of house arrest and ordered to pay around $800,00 in restitution, court records show.
    Craig Shoup, Nashville Tennessean, 28 July 2025
Verb
  • But states hoping to redraw sooner than required are noting there’s nothing in the Constitution forbidding extra redistricting.
    Romy Ellenbogen, Miami Herald, 5 Aug. 2025
  • Congress forbid bases to be named after Confederate leaders in 2021, but the administration sidestepped the ban by finding other people with the same last names to honor.
    Frank Witsil, Freep.com, 4 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • The defense requested the investigation in June, with prosecutors filing a motion in response the same day, according to a case summary records log.
    Kevin Fixler, Idaho Statesman, 5 Aug. 2025
  • An investigation into the matter is ongoing and the prosecutor’s office has requested that anyone with information in the case to come forward.
    Jessica Schladebeck, New York Daily News, 5 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • The city has been told the Water and Wastewater Authority should have their standard operational system active at that time, Bell said.
    Andy Humbles, The Tennessean, 26 July 2025
  • Popular jewelry designer Kendra Scott plans to marry Zac Brown, Scott told People.
    Alexis Simmerman, Austin American Statesman, 26 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Enjoin.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/enjoin. Accessed 8 Aug. 2025.

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