proscribe
Americanverb (used with object)
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to denounce or condemn (a thing) as dangerous or harmful; prohibit.
- Synonyms:
- repudiate, disapprove, censure
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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
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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
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
Speaking to BBC News ahead of the hearing, Cooper said the decision to proscribe the group was not aimed at restricting free speech.
From BBC • Jul. 21, 2025
The home secretary has the power under UK law to proscribe an organisation under the Terrorism Act 2000 if they believe it is "concerned with terrorism".
From BBC • Jun. 21, 2025
The government said an order will be introduced in Parliament to proscribe the group under the Terrorism Act.
From Seattle Times • Sep. 5, 2023
The sail would proscribe steam; the oar would proscribe the sail, only in its turn to give way to wagons, the wagon to the mule, and the mule to the foot-peddler.
From Sophisms of the Protectionists by White, Horace
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.
