Definition

Noun: 1. The act of proscribing or banning; prohibition: The official or formal act of forbidding something by law or authority, often with severe penalties. 2. A decree or order that prohibits something: An official declaration that outlaws or bans a specific practice, item, or person. 3. The state of being proscribed; outlawry: The condition of being condemned, exiled, or banished, often as a political punishment.

Usage

• The word "proscription" is a formal noun, typically used in legal, historical, or political contexts. It refers to an authoritative and often severe act of prohibition or banishment.
• It can describe both the of proscribing and the (the state of being banned or the decree itself).

Examples

• The government issued a proscription against the extremist organization, making membership a criminal offense.
• In ancient Rome, political enemies faced proscription, which meant the confiscation of their property and often their lives.
• The proscription of certain books was a common practice during periods of strict censorship.

Advanced Usage

• "To be under proscription": To be officially banned or outlawed.
  • The group's activities are under proscription, and its leaders are in hiding.
• "A list of proscriptions": A list of people or things that have been banned.
  • The regime published a list of proscriptions targeting intellectuals and artists.

Variants and Related Words

• Proscribe (verb): To forbid, especially by law; to denounce or condemn.
  • The law proscribes discrimination based on race or gender.
• Proscriptive (adjective): Having the nature of or relating to proscription; prohibitive.
  • The proscriptive measures were intended to suppress dissent.

Synonyms

• Ban: An official or legal prohibition.
• Prohibition: The action of forbidding something, especially by law.
• Interdiction: The action of prohibiting or forbidding something.
• Outlawry: The state of being banned or declared an outlaw.

Antonyms

• Prescription: The act of laying down authoritative rules or directions. (Note: In a different context, "prescription" can be an antony, as it implies sanctioning or recommending, the opposite of forbidding).
• Permission: Consent or authorization to do something.
• Sanction: Official permission or approval for an action.

Related Phrases

• "A decree of proscription": An official order that imposes a ban.
  • The king signed a decree of proscription against the rebel lords.
• "To face proscription": To be subject to being banned or outlawed.
  • Anyone who spoke against the dictator would face proscription.

Noun

1. rejection by means of an act of banishing or proscribing someone
2. a decree that prohibits something