proscribe
gb/pɹoʊskɹˈaɪb/ us/pɹoʊskɹˈaɪb/
C1
English
betilt, megtilt, proskribál, törvényen kívül helyez
VERB
C1
FORMAL
1
Usage pattern:
proscribe [something] (often + as [something])
The government moved to proscribe the group after a series of attacks.
A kormány a támadások sorozata után lépéseket tett a csoport betiltására.
Several countries proscribe hate speech under their criminal laws.
Több ország büntetőjoga tiltja a gyűlöletbeszédet.
The new policy would proscribe single-use plastics in public buildings.
Learner examples
The law proscribes smoking in hospitals.
A törvény megtiltja a dohányzást a kórházakban.
They proscribed the organization because it was violent.
Azért tiltották be a szervezetet, mert erőszakos volt.
Common mistake:
Do not confuse with "prescribe" (to recommend or order, especially medicine). "Proscribe" means ban/forbid.
Meaning
officially forbid or ban
Collocations
proscribe an organization
|proscribe a group
|proscribe a practice
|proscribe a party
|proscribe a substance
|proscribe an activity
|proscribe by law
|proscribe as illegal
|proscribe under anti-terror laws
|proscribe gambling
Synonyms
ban (More common and less formal.)
|
prohibit (Close in meaning; often used in legal or formal contexts.)
|
forbid (General term; can be personal or official.)
|
outlaw (Emphasizes making something illegal.)
Antonyms
allow (To permit rather than forbid.)
|
permit (Formal/neutral opposite of banning.)
|
authorize (To give official permission.)
Themes
law
|government
|politics
|rules
Definition
To officially say something is not allowed.
To officially forbid something, especially by law or formal rules.
VERB
C2
FORMAL
2
Usage pattern:
proscribe [someone]
In ancient Rome, political rivals were sometimes proscribed and their property seized.
Az ókori Rómában a politikai ellenfeleket olykor proskribálták, és vagyonukat elkobozták.
After the coup, the new regime proscribed several former ministers.
A puccs után az új rezsim több volt minisztert is törvényen kívül helyezett.
The novel follows a proscribed writer forced to live under an assumed name.
Learner examples
The ruler proscribed his enemies.
Az uralkodó törvényen kívül helyezte az ellenségeit.
Common mistake:
In modern news, "proscribe" usually refers to banning groups or activities; this older sense is mainly historical.
Meaning
declare someone an outlaw
Collocations
proscribe political opponents
|proscribe dissidents
|proscribe a rival
|proscribed citizens
|a proscribed senator
|proscribed by the regime
Synonyms
outlaw (More general; can mean making a person outside legal protection.)
|
banish (Focuses on forcing someone to leave rather than legal condemnation.)
|
exile (Often implies sending someone away, sometimes officially.)
Antonyms
pardon (To officially forgive and restore legal standing.)
|
reinstate (To restore someone to a former legal or official position.)
Themes
history
|law
|politics
Definition
To officially treat someone as an enemy and take away their rights.
To officially condemn and exclude someone, especially by naming them as an enemy of the state and removing their legal protections.
Grammar
Dictionary form
proscribe
IPA
GB/pɹoʊskɹˈaɪb/
US/pɹoʊskɹˈaɪb/
Syllables & stress
pro - scribe (2 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (scribe)
Word forms
Verb
- Base: proscribe
- 3rd Person Singular: proscribes
- Present Participle: proscribing
- Past: proscribed
Word family
Forms
proscribes
verb
proscribing
verb
proscribed
verb
Core family
proscription
noun C1
Related words
Advanced or less common
proscriptive
adjective
Expressions
proscribed by law
1/pɹoʊskɹˈaɪbd bˈaɪ lˈɔ/
fixed phrase
formal
forbidden by law
Not allowed because the law forbids it.
Examples
- Discrimination on the basis of disability is proscribed by law.
- Certain types of political advertising are proscribed by law during election week.
Learner examples
- This practice is proscribed by law.
proscribed list
1/pɹoʊskɹˈaɪbd lˈɪst/
fixed phrase
formal
official list of banned items
An official list of things that are banned.
Examples
- The agency added the militia to the proscribed list.
- His name appeared on a proscribed list circulated by the authorities.
proscribed organization
1/pɹoʊskɹˈaɪbd ˌɔɹɡənəzˈeɪʃən/
fixed phrase
legal
legally banned organization
A group that the government has officially banned.
Examples
- Donations to a proscribed organization are a criminal offense.
- The charity was investigated for links to a proscribed organization.
Learner examples
- It is illegal to support a proscribed organization.
proscribed substance
1/pɹoʊskɹˈaɪbd sˈʌbstəns/
fixed phrase
formal
officially banned drug or chemical
A drug or chemical that is not allowed.
Examples
- The athlete was suspended after testing positive for a proscribed substance.
- The label warns that the product contains a proscribed substance.
Learner examples
- He was banned for taking a proscribed substance.