proscriptive

[ proh-skrip-tiv ]

adjective

1. involving, imposing, or defining limits or prohibitions:

   We want the guidelines to be useful, broadly applicable, and not overly proscriptive and narrow.

   Rather than a proscriptive diet, in which the patient is limited to eating certain foods and measured portions, we encourage eating a wide range of foods in moderation.

Other Words From

• pro·scrip·tive·ly adverb
• non·pro·scrip·tive adjective
• non·pro·scrip·tive·ly adverb
• un·pro·scrip·tive adjective
• un·pro·scrip·tive·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of proscriptive¹

First recorded in 1740–50; from Latin prōscript-, stem of prōscrībere “to publish in writing” ( proscribe ( def ) ) + -ive ( def )

Example Sentences

But the prohibitive costs and proscriptive laws sometimes mean there’s no choice at all.

From Slate

Viewed this way, minding our p’s and q’s is less about proscriptive notions of correctness, and more about mindfulness, self-discovery and proper conduct.

From Seattle Times

But it’s to Leaf’s credit that there’s nothing simplistic, and certainly nothing proscriptive, about how that closure takes place.

From Los Angeles Times

But the move toward zero-emission vehicles represents a significant and aggressive step toward cutting greenhouse gases in the state — a step that one Washington Republican criticized as overly proscriptive.

From Seattle Times

I don't want to be too proscriptive to what listeners should be seeing or feeling or thinking.

From Salon

Related Words

• excessive
• exorbitant
• preposterous
• steep