interdict 1 of 2

interdict

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verb

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb interdict differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of interdict are forbid, inhibit, and prohibit. While all these words mean "to debar one from doing something or to order that something not be done," interdict implies prohibition by civil or ecclesiastical authority usually for a given time or a declared purpose.

practices interdicted by the church

When is forbid a more appropriate choice than interdict?

While in some cases nearly identical to interdict, forbid implies that the order is from one in authority and that obedience is expected.

smoking is forbidden in the building

When is it sensible to use inhibit instead of interdict?

Although the words inhibit and interdict have much in common, 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

In what contexts can prohibit take the place of interdict?

In some situations, the words prohibit and interdict are roughly equivalent. However, prohibit suggests the issuing of laws, statutes, or regulations.

prohibited the sale of liquor

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 interdict
Noun
There are no restraining orders, injunctions or interdicts anywhere. Brendan Le, Peoplemag, 9 May 2024 Environmental and community groups in South Africa's Eastern Cape province won an urgent interdict to stop the surveys in December last year and are now asking the court to permanently halt the operations. Mogomotsi Magome, ajc, 2 June 2022
Verb
The man then got up from his seat and walked as close to the well as possible, before being interdicted by a marshal. Victoria Bekiempis, Vulture, 22 May 2025 So far this fiscal year, since October 2024, the Coast Guard has tracked 277 vessels clandestinely entering U.S. waters from Mexico in the San Diego area, some of the boats being interdicted and others getting away, Read said. Terry Collins, USA Today, 5 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for interdict
Recent Examples of Synonyms for interdict
Noun
  • The divided panel also said West Virginia’s prohibition violated the Medicaid Act and the Affordable Care Act.
    Maureen Groppe, USA Today, 1 July 2025
  • The agreement involves provisions on territorial integrity and a prohibition of hostilities as well as the disengagement, disarmament and conditional integration of non-state armed groups.
    Chinedu Asadu, Los Angeles Times, 27 June 2025
Verb
  • Swimming in Liberty Reservoir is prohibited because of the dangers posed by the deep water, which can also get extremely cold in places due to its depth.
    Joseph Wilkinson, New York Daily News, 6 July 2025
  • It would also be prohibited from creating any substitute organizations.
    Sophie Tanno, CNN Money, 6 July 2025
Verb
  • He’s also used emergency orders to spend money on flying migrants to Martha’s Vineyard and California, and to intercept migrants trying to come ashore in the Florida Keys.
    Jeffrey Schweers, The Orlando Sentinel, 11 July 2025
  • That’s because any attempt to intercept or measure quantum data alters its state, alerting the sender and receiver instantly.
    David DeWalt, Forbes.com, 11 July 2025
Noun
  • Similar success has been seen with bans on unhealthy food advertising on London's transport network.
    David Vetter, Forbes.com, 2 July 2025
  • Republicans sold the noncitizen voting ban as a defense of DC citizens’ rights.
    David Weigel, semafor.com, 1 July 2025
Verb
  • But Henry Cavill prevailed: his Superman and his nerd-to-die-for Clark Kent were of course gorgeous to look at, but in the first movie especially, both guises carried an erotic charge that’s usually forbidden in the world of comic-book movies.
    Stephanie Zacharek, Time, 11 July 2025
  • One particular enemy of Gauguin’s was Bishop Martin, a Catholic priest on Hiva Oa who did his best to stomp out local custom, forbidding tattooing, Polynesian dancing, and the customary practice of polyandry.
    Alexandra Schwartz, New Yorker, 11 July 2025
Verb
  • The Socialist Reich Party (SRP), a successor to the Nazi Party, was outlawed in 1952.
    Sophie Tanno, CNN Money, 6 July 2025
  • The United States outlawed ibogaine in 1967 along with other psychotropic drugs.
    Eduardo Cuevas, USA Today, 29 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Interdict.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/interdict. Accessed 15 Jul. 2025.

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