proscribe

[ proh-skrahyb ]

verb (used with object)

, pro·scribed, pro·scrib·ing.

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

Derived Forms

• proˈscriber, noun

Other Words From

• pro·scriba·ble adjective
• pro·scriber noun
• unpro·scriba·ble adjective
• unpro·scribed 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

The disease of addiction, the majority reasoned, constituted a “status” that the government may not penalize under the Eighth and 14th Amendments, which proscribe states from imposing “cruel and unusual punishments.”

From Slate

After the BBC reports, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak came under pressure from MPs in the House of Commons to proscribe the IRGC.

From BBC

“The American AI industry is built in part on the understanding that the Copyright Act does not proscribe the use of copyrighted material to train Generative AI models,” says a letter from Meta Platforms, the parent company of Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp.

From Seattle Times

British lawmakers and members of the upper house of parliament have called on the government to proscribe Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps as a terrorist organisation, saying it would be a step towards restoring stability to the Middle East.

From Reuters

British lawmakers and members of the upper house of parliament have called on the government to proscribe Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps as a terrorist organisation, saying it would be a step towards restoring stability to the Middle East.

From Reuters

Related Words

• forbid
• outlaw
• prohibit