Proscribe

hard

proh-SKRYB

verb

Definition

To forbid or prohibit; to condemn or denounce

Examples

The law proscribes discrimination in the workplace.
Certain behaviors were proscribed by social convention.

Synonyms

forbidprohibitbaninterdict

Antonyms

permitallowauthorizeprescribe

Categories

GRE Tip

Proscribe is a hard-difficulty GRE word. On the GRE, you might see it paired with synonyms like "forbid" or "prohibit" in Sentence Equivalence questions. Look for contrast clues (however, despite, although) that signal the opposite meaning. Words like "permit".

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