proscribe

[proh-skrahyb]

verb (used with object)

proscribed, proscribing 

1. to denounce or condemn (a thing) as dangerous or harmful; prohibit.

   Synonyms: repudiate, disapprove, censure

2. to put outside the protection of the law; outlaw.

3. to banish or exile.

4. to announce the name of (a person) as condemned to death and subject to confiscation of property.

proscribe

/ prəʊˈskraɪb /

verb

1. to condemn or prohibit

2. to outlaw; banish; exile

3. (in ancient Rome) to outlaw (a citizen) by posting his name in public

Other Word Forms

• proscribable adjective
• proscriber noun
• unproscribable adjective
• unproscribed adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of proscribe¹

1375–1425; late Middle English < Latin prōscrībere to publish in writing, confiscate, outlaw. See pro- ¹, prescribe

Word History and Origins

Origin of proscribe¹

C16: from Latin prōscrībere to put up a written public notice, from prō- in public + scrībere to write

Example Sentences

A Lebanese man has gone on trial in Celle, northern Germany, accused of being a member of Hezbollah - a Shia Muslim group whose military wing is proscribed as a terrorist organisation by the EU.

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This would be proscribed by the Posse Comitatus Act, which prohibits federal armed forces from performing law enforcement activities.

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Ringleader Dylan Earl was recruited by the Wagner Group, a mercenary organisation that acts on behalf of the Russian state and is proscribed by the UK government as a terrorist organisation.

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The UK government proscribed it as a terrorist group in September 2023.

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Israel also alleged that hundreds of Unrwa staff were members of proscribed terrorist groups, but an independent review commissioned by the UN found it had not provided evidence to support its claim.

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Related Words

• forbid 
• outlaw 
• prohibit