ENJOIN Synonyms: 140 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the verb 'enjoin' contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of enjoin are bid , charge , command , direct , instruct , and order . While all these words mean "to issue orders," enjoin implies giving an order or direction authoritatively and urgently and often with admonition or solicitude. // a sign enjoining patrons to be quiet

Q: When can 'bid' be used instead of 'enjoin'?

Although the words bid and enjoin have much in common, bid suggests giving orders peremptorily (as to children or servants). // she bade him be seated

Q: How do 'charge' and 'enjoin' relate to one another?

Charge adds to enjoin an implication of imposing as a duty or responsibility. // charged by the President with a secret mission

Q: How are the words 'command' and 'order' related as synonyms of 'enjoin'?

Both command and order imply authority and usually some degree of formality and impersonality; command stresses official exercise of authority. // a general commanding troops

Q: How does the word 'direct' relate to its synonym 'instruct', in the sense of 'enjoin'?

Direct and instruct both connote expectation of obedience and usually concern specific points of procedure or method, instruct sometimes implying greater explicitness or formality. // directed her assistant to hold all calls // the judge instructed the jury to ignore the remark

Q: Where would 'order' be a reasonable alternative to 'enjoin'?

While the synonyms order and enjoin are close in meaning, order may suggest peremptory or arbitrary exercise. // ordered his employees about like slaves

enjoin

verb

in-ˈjȯin

Definition of enjoin

as in to demand

to ask for (something) earnestly or with authority police enjoined the community's full cooperation in getting rid of the drug dealers

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to instruct

to issue orders to (someone) by right of authority undeterred, the captain enjoined his crew to sail at full speed into the mine-filled harbor

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to prohibit

to order not to do or use or to be done or used Quakerism enjoins the taking of human life

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb enjoin contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of enjoin are bid, charge, command, direct, instruct, and order. While all these words mean "to issue orders," enjoin implies giving an order or direction authoritatively and urgently and often with admonition or solicitude.

a sign enjoining patrons to be quiet

When can bid be used instead of enjoin?

Although the words bid and enjoin have much in common, bid suggests giving orders peremptorily (as to children or servants).

she bade him be seated

How do charge and enjoin relate to one another?

Charge adds to enjoin an implication of imposing as a duty or responsibility.

charged by the President with a secret mission

How are the words command and order related as synonyms of enjoin?

Both command and order imply authority and usually some degree of formality and impersonality; command stresses official exercise of authority.

a general commanding troops

How does the word direct relate to its synonym instruct, in the sense of enjoin?

Direct and instruct both connote expectation of obedience and usually concern specific points of procedure or method, instruct sometimes implying greater explicitness or formality.

directed her assistant to hold all calls

the judge instructed the jury to ignore the remark

Where would order be a reasonable alternative to enjoin?

While the synonyms order and enjoin are close in meaning, order may suggest peremptory or arbitrary exercise.

ordered his employees about like slaves

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 enjoin However, appellate courts have subsequently vacated the Illinois judge’s ruling and multiple rulings from judges in Portland seeking to enjoin the use of these weapons. — ProPublica, 10 June 2026 The real-world violence isn’t the only reason why Florida wants ChatGPT enjoined from causing harm to users while being marketed as safe. — Ashley Belanger, ArsTechnica, 1 June 2026 In 1895, the socialist Eugene Debs addressed a crowd of supporters gathered to cheer his release from jail for leading a national railroad strike that federal judges had enjoined. — Michael Kazin, The Atlantic, 3 June 2026 The lawsuit has also roped in debate over the bureau’s February 2026 policy, which the government contends has replaced earlier guidance issued under an executive order that Lamberth initially enjoined last June. — Kaelan Deese, The Washington Examiner, 27 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for enjoin

Recent Examples of Synonyms for enjoin

Verb

His girlfriend, Syanna Ruiz, held their child in court, demanding the defendants remain behind bars.

— Madisen Keavy, CBS News, 2 July 2026
Trump had demanded Peters' release and threatened to withhold federal funds from Colorado if his demand was not met.

— Phillip M. Bailey, USA Today, 1 July 2026

Definition of demand

Verb

People are instructed to scan the QR link on the letter that will lead them to a list of available appointments to reschedule their test.

— Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 7 July 2026
The agency has instructed contractors that families at the facility cannot be referred to as prisoners, detainees or inmates, records show.

— JACK BROOK, ABC News, 6 July 2026

Definition of instruct

Verb

Freedom 250 says blankets are allowed, but lawn chairs, coolers, drink tumblers and aerosol sunscreen are prohibited.

— Mike Stunson, USA Today, 3 July 2026
In February, a federal judge halted a California law that prohibited federal officers from wearing masks while on duty.

— Landon Mion, FOXNews.com, 3 July 2026

Definition of prohibit

Verb

That kind of granular information is important for emergency responders in the field and planners who make decisions about calling for extra help or ordering evacuations.

— Eric Niiler, Los Angeles Times, 6 July 2026
Americans across the nation are being asked (or ordered) to conserve water, thanks to widespread drought made even worse by a punishing heat wave.

— Jeanine Santucci, USA Today, 5 July 2026

Definition of order

Verb

Anyone attempting to think seriously about Elon Musk is confronted with a forbidding cognitive dissonance.

— Mark O’Connell, The New York Review of Books, 4 July 2026
Entertainment Weekly has learned that at least one NYC restaurant that provided catering to the wedding was forbidden from discussing its involvement in the event due to an NDA.

— Wesley Stenzel, Entertainment Weekly, 4 July 2026

Definition of forbid

Verb

During Murdaugh’s first status hearing on Monday, June 29, Judge Debra McCaslin did not rule on the DNA evidence, telling defense attorneys to clarify if the sample was viable.

— Sarah Rumpf-Whitten, FOXNews.com, 5 July 2026
My parents tell stories about me sleeping through loud construction, alarms, and heavy knocks on my bedroom door.

— Better Homes & Gardens, Better Homes & Gardens, 5 July 2026

Definition of tell

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“Enjoin.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/enjoin. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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