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 : prohibition
proscriptive adjective
proscriptively adverb

Examples of proscription in a Sentence

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 Under Elizabethan feudalism this notion was unthinkable if only because none but the royal had the alternatives of seemingly absolute choice, the liberties of the masses being hedged about by all sorts of rigid proscriptions. Andrew Aoyama, The Atlantic, 28 Feb. 2024 Washington also secured buy-in for a proscription against the use of force to alter international boundaries, helping lock in place a status quo that has benefited the United States. Ryan Hass, Foreign Affairs, 24 Oct. 2023 Those proscriptions effectively bar any independent, critical reporting on Russia’s military and its serial missteps in the war on Ukraine. Robyn Dixon, Washington Post, 19 Oct. 2023 The guidance also has a list of proscriptions: Do treat others with respect, even in the face of abuse. Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 28 Sep. 2023 This was characterized by zero tolerance for misdemeanors and the aggressive control or physical proscription of public areas for the purposes of peaceful protest. Kylie Bourne, Discover Magazine, 14 Sep. 2015 How can that proscription be preserved amid current world tensions? Howard Lafranchi, The Christian Science Monitor, 17 Oct. 2022 Tickets for the Santo Domingo concert had been on sale for about two months at the time of Cyrus' proscription, ranging in price from $27 to $370. Zoey Lyttle, Peoplemag, 20 Oct. 2022 Yet despite these disquieting trends, the eight-decade-long proscription against nuclear weapons use has not been breached. Howard Lafranchi, The Christian Science Monitor, 17 Oct. 2022

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'proscription.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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

Dictionary Entries Near proscription

Cite this Entry

“Proscription.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/proscription. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

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

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 adjective
proscriptively adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on proscription

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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