Word
proscribe
Phoneticspro·scribe, stress on the second syllable
US/pɹoʊsˈkɹaɪb/
UK/pɹəskɹˈaɪb/
Definition
v. to officially forbid something or say that it is not allowed. A government or organization might do this to a specific activity or group for safety or legal reasons.
v. to forbid or prohibit by law or official decree; to condemn as harmful or unlawful. Often used in legal or formal institutional contexts to denote an absolute ban.
Examples
“The new law will proscribe smoking in all public parks.”
“The international treaty aims to proscribe the use of chemical weapons in all armed conflicts.”
“While the constitution protects free speech, it does not prevent the state from moving to proscribe organizations that actively incite violent insurrection.”
Examples
simple
“The new law will proscribe smoking in all public parks.”
contextual
“The international treaty aims to proscribe the use of chemical weapons in all armed conflicts.”
complex
“While the constitution protects free speech, it does not prevent the state from moving to proscribe organizations that actively incite violent insurrection.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “proscribe” in context.
Verb
01. formally proscribe
“The government moved to formally proscribe the organization under anti-terror laws.”
adv + verb
02. legally proscribe
“Certain religious practices were legally proscribed during the colonial era.”
adv + verb
03. seek to proscribe
“Human rights groups are concerned that the state may seek to proscribe peaceful protest.”
verb + inf
Noun
04. proscribe activity
“The new legislation aims to proscribe activity that incites racial hatred.”
verb + noun
05. proscribe group
“The home secretary has the power to proscribe any group linked to extremist violence.”
verb + noun
06. proscribe organization
“It is a criminal offense to belong to a proscribed organization.”
verb + noun
07. proscribe use
“International treaties proscribe the use of chemical weapons in warfare.”
verb + noun
08. power to proscribe
“The committee was granted the power to proscribe harmful substances.”
09. proscribe by law
“The distribution of such materials is strictly proscribed by law.”
10. proscribe on grounds of
“The book was proscribed on grounds of national security.”
Usage
The verb is transitive and requires a direct object. It is frequently confused with 'prescribe', which has the opposite meaning of recommending or ordering a treatment.
Pitfall
The doctor proscribed antibiotics for my cough.
The doctor prescribed antibiotics for my cough.
Learners confuse 'proscribe' (to forbid) with 'prescribe' (to authorize or advise).
Confusables
Prescribe is to order a treatment or rule, while proscribe is to officially forbid a practice.
RememberPre- means 'for' (recommend); Pro- means 'against' (prohibit).
Etymology
From Middle English proscriben, from Latin prōscrībō (“to proclaim, forbid, banish”).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Synonyms
Antonyms
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Rare
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
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