interdict 1 of 2

noun

ˈin-tər-ˌdikt How to pronounce interdict (audio)
Definition of interdictnext
as in prohibition
an order that something not be done or used the church's controversial interdict against the use of birth control devices

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

interdict

2 of 2

verb

ˌin-tər-ˈdikt How to pronounce interdict (audio)
1
as in to prohibit
to order not to do or use or to be done or used the state legislature moved to interdict the use of radar-detection devices by motorists

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to intercept
to stop, seize, or interrupt while in progress or on course federal agents are able to interdict only a small percentage of the narcotic shipments into the country

Synonyms & Similar Words

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb interdict differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of interdict are forbid, inhibit, and prohibit. While all these words mean "to debar one from doing something or to order that something not be done," interdict implies prohibition by civil or ecclesiastical authority usually for a given time or a declared purpose.

practices interdicted by the church

When is forbid a more appropriate choice than interdict?

While in some cases nearly identical to interdict, forbid implies that the order is from one in authority and that obedience is expected.

smoking is forbidden in the building

When is it sensible to use inhibit instead of interdict?

Although the words inhibit and interdict have much in common, inhibit implies restraints or restrictions that amount to prohibitions, not only by authority but also by the exigencies of the time or situation.

conditions inhibiting the growth of free trade

In what contexts can prohibit take the place of interdict?

In some situations, the words prohibit and interdict are roughly equivalent. However, prohibit suggests the issuing of laws, statutes, or regulations.

prohibited the sale of liquor

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of interdict
Noun
Saudi Arabia and the UAE interdict millions of pills each year. —Vanda Felbab-Brown, Foreign Affairs, 11 Apr. 2024 While the effort to interdict migrants, including traffickers in fentanyl, continues, another topic Texas is only slowly beginning to discuss is how to make more widely available some potentially life-saving devices – fentanyl test strips. —Dallas News, 28 Apr. 2022
Verb
The first occurred around midnight about 15 miles off Mission Bay when U.S. Coast Guard cutter Active interdicted a 25-foot panga. —Paul Sisson, The Mercury News, 3 Feb. 2025 So far this year 865 undocumented migrants have been interdicted at as of June 25, said Denyse Renne, a spokeswoman with the Royal Turks and Caicos police. —Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 19 July 2024 See All Example Sentences for interdict
Recent Examples of Synonyms for interdict
  1. prohibition
  2. prohibit
  3. intercept
  4. ban
  5. forbid
  6. outlaw
Noun
  • In 2010 Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission invalidated the federal prohibition on corporate structures spending money on their own political ads and messaging.
    — Leah Litman, TIME, 28 Feb. 2025
  • Some initiatives to keep spring break safe are still in place from Feb. 23 until April 12, like additional police presence and prohibitions on coolers, alcohol and amplified music on the beach.
    — Kinsey Crowley, USA TODAY, 8 Mar. 2025
Definition of prohibition
Verb
  • More than 90 countries do not have laws mandating equal pay for equal work, while dozens of others prohibit women from working in certain industries, such as construction or manufacturing.
    — Meera Senthilingam, CNN, 7 Mar. 2025
  • The city of Fullerton will begin enforcing stricter anti-camping rules, prohibiting homeless individuals from sitting, lying or sleeping in public spaces or storing their property on sidewalks and similar public spaces.
    — Jonathan Horwitz, Orange County Register, 7 Mar. 2025
Definition of prohibit
Verb
  • In one such message intercepted by investigators, the co-conspirator directs Altoh to deposit funds in an account at Chase Bank.
    — Sharon Bernstein, Sacramento Bee, 12 Mar. 2025
  • Ukraine's air defense forces intercepted 34 missiles and 100 drones, while 86 others were neutralized by electronic warfare systems.
    — Katya Soldak, Forbes, 11 Mar. 2025
Definition of intercept
Noun
  • In addition to ending DEI initiatives, Fox believes mask bans should be in place, with exceptions for medical reasons.
    — Rachel Wolf, Fox News, 18 Mar. 2025
  • Haitians wanting to travel would need to request a waiver to the ban.
    — Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 18 Mar. 2025
Definition of ban
Verb
  • Speaking their native languages and wearing traditional clothes was forbidden.
    — Alfredo Sosa, The Christian Science Monitor, 13 Mar. 2025
  • Yet it isn’t forbidden for Culers to dream, and imagine what could be at the Allianz Arena on the brink of summer.
    — Tom Sanderson, Forbes, 12 Mar. 2025
Definition of forbid
Verb
  • This makes Mississippi the third state to outlaw meat grown in vats from small samples of animal cells.
    — Matt Reynolds, WIRED, 10 Mar. 2025
  • In another sign of his everlasting campaign, Trump called for Congress to outlaw taxes on tips, overtime and Social Security benefits, despite Republicans not expected to pursue those priorities in budget talks.
    — Zachary Basu, Axios, 5 Mar. 2025
Definition of outlaw

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Cite this Entry

“Interdict.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/interdict. Accessed 22 Mar. 2025.

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More from Merriam-Webster on interdict

Nglish: Translation of interdict for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about interdict

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