proscription

1 of 2

noun

pro·​scrip·​tion prō-ˈskrip-shən How to pronounce proscription (audio)
Synonyms of proscriptionnext
1
: the act of proscribing : the state of being proscribed
2
: an imposed restraint or restriction : prohibition
proscriptive
prō-ˈskrip-tiv How to pronounce proscription (audio)
adjective
proscriptively adverb

proscriptive

2 of 2

adjective

pro·​scrip·​tive -ptiv How to pronounce proscriptive (audio)
-tēv also -təv
: given to proscribing or serving to proscribe
a proscriptive tribunal
a proscriptive law
proscriptively
-tə̇vlē
adverb
proscriptiveness
-tivnə̇s
noun
plural -es

Synonyms of proscription

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Noun

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Examples of proscription in a Sentence

Noun the proscription against bicycles and skateboards is intended to make the plaza a more pedestrian-friendly place a strongly worded proscription against smoking indoors
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Noun
On Palestine Action and how governments weaponize proscription against activists. — Literary Hub, 23 Aug. 2025 The High Court judges said that while some of those crimes amounted to terrorist acts, they could be criminally prosecuted regardless of proscription. — ABC News, 15 June 2026 Of course, deportation or removal from the United States isn’t the same as death; Rubio’s unilateral visa revocation isn’t the same as the proscription. — JSTOR Daily, 23 Oct. 2025 The case comes amid Britain’s controversial terror ban on Palestine Action, mass arrests of supporters, a pending court challenge to the proscription and warnings from Amnesty of a dangerous crackdown on protest. — Brian Melley, Los Angeles Times, 12 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for proscription

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English proscripcion, from Latin proscription-, proscriptio, from proscribere

Adjective

Latin proscriptus (past participle of proscribere) + English -ive

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of proscription was in the 14th century

Rhymes for proscription

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Browse Nearby Words

proscript
proscription
proscriptive
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Cite this Entry

“Proscription.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/proscription. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

proscription

noun
pro·​scrip·​tion prō-ˈskrip-shən How to pronounce proscription (audio)
1
: the act of proscribing : the state of being proscribed
2
: prohibition sense 2

Legal Definition

proscription

noun
pro·​scrip·​tion prō-ˈskrip-shən How to pronounce proscription (audio)
1
: the act of proscribing : the state of being proscribed
2
: an imposed restraint or restriction
proscriptive
-ˈskrip-tiv How to pronounce proscription (audio)
adjective
proscriptively adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on proscription

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about proscription

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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