proscribe
Americanverb (used with object)
-
to denounce or condemn (a thing) as dangerous or harmful; prohibit.
- Synonyms:
- repudiate, disapprove, censure
-
to put outside the protection of the law; outlaw.
-
to banish or exile.
-
to announce the name of (a person) as condemned to death and subject to confiscation of property.
verb
-
to condemn or prohibit
-
to outlaw; banish; exile
-
(in ancient Rome) to outlaw (a citizen) by posting his name in public
Other Word Forms
- proscribable adjective
- proscriber noun
- unproscribable adjective
- unproscribed adjective
Etymology
Origin of proscribe
1375–1425; late Middle English < Latin prōscrībere to publish in writing, confiscate, outlaw. See pro- 1, prescribe
Explanation
To proscribe something is to forbid or prohibit it, as a school principal might proscribe the use of cell phones in class. Proscribe sounds similar to the word prescribe, but be careful: these words are essentially opposite in meaning. While proscribe means forbid, prescribe is used when a doctor recommends a medicine or remedy. Of course, if you want an excuse for not following your doctor’s orders, you could say you were confused about the meaning of these two words — but that would be lying, which is proscribed by most people’s value systems. And it would also be bad for your health.
Vocabulary lists containing proscribe
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The judge said the Supreme Court ruling on affirmative action “certainly does not proscribe any particular classroom speech, or relate at all to curricular choices.”
From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 21, 2026
The expected move to proscribe the group has drawn criticism from a number of human rights groups and activists.
From BBC • Jun. 23, 2025
Under the Terrorism Act 2000, the Home Secretary may proscribe an organisation if they believe it is concerned in terrorism.
From BBC • Oct. 13, 2023
The government said an order will be introduced in Parliament to proscribe the group under the Terrorism Act.
From Seattle Times • Sep. 5, 2023
Ah, who will take on himself to proscribe that pert mysticism, those fonts of toilet-water which Gounod invented!...
From En Route by Huysmans, J.-K. (Joris-Karl)
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
