interdict

1 of 2

noun

in·​ter·​dict ˈin-tər-ˌdikt How to pronounce interdict (audio)
Synonyms of interdictnext
1
: a Roman Catholic ecclesiastical censure withdrawing most sacraments and Christian burial from a person or district
2
: a prohibitory decree

interdict

2 of 2

verb

in·​ter·​dict ˌin-tər-ˈdikt How to pronounce interdict (audio)
interdicted; interdicting; interdicts

transitive verb

1
: to lay under or prohibit by an interdict
2
: to forbid in a usually formal or authoritative manner
3
a
: to destroy, damage, or cut off (something, such as an enemy line of supply) by firepower to stop or hamper an enemy
b
: intercept sense 1a
interdict drug shipments
interdiction
ˌin-tər-ˈdik-shən How to pronounce interdict (audio)
noun
interdictive
ˌin-tər-ˈdik-tiv How to pronounce interdict (audio)
adjective
interdictor
ˌin-tər-ˈdik-tər How to pronounce interdict (audio)
noun
interdictory
ˌin-tər-ˈdik-t(ə-)rē How to pronounce interdict (audio)
adjective

Did you know?

Interdict and interdiction are used for very serious prohibitions—more serious than, say, a professor telling the class that texting is forbidden during lectures. During the Middle Ages and Renaissance, an interdict was a sentence imposed by the powerful Catholic Church forbidding a person or place, and sometimes even an entire country, from receiving church privileges or participating in church functions. Interdict now often means "cut off" in a physically forceful way as well; interdictions are usually targeted at either arms supplies or illegal drug shipments.

Synonyms

Noun

Verb

See all Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus 
Choose the Right Synonym for interdict

forbid, prohibit, interdict, inhibit mean to debar one from doing something or to order that something not be done.

forbid implies that the order is from one in authority and that obedience is expected.

smoking is forbidden in the building

prohibit suggests the issuing of laws, statutes, or regulations.

prohibited the sale of liquor

interdict implies prohibition by civil or ecclesiastical authority usually for a given time or a declared purpose.

practices interdicted by the church

inhibit implies restraints or restrictions that amount to prohibitions, not only by authority but also by the exigencies of the time or situation.

conditions inhibiting the growth of free trade

Examples of interdict in a Sentence

Noun the church's controversial interdict against the use of birth control devices Verb the state legislature moved to interdict the use of radar-detection devices by motorists federal agents are able to interdict only a small percentage of the narcotic shipments into the country
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Noun
Washington might use new access to Saudi waters and airspace to improve its ability to track and disrupt Iran’s militias and interdict weapons shipments bound for its proxies. —Frederic Wehrey, Foreign Affairs, 17 Sep. 2024 There are no restraining orders, injunctions or interdicts anywhere. —Brendan Le, Peoplemag, 9 May 2024
Verb
On my trip to Jordan, I was told that the U.S. had provided authorities there with scanners and other equipment for interdicting trafficked substances. —Ed Caesar, The New Yorker, 4 Nov. 2024 Last year, the Turks and Caicos reported interdicting 4,016 migrants at sea. —Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 19 July 2024 See all Example Sentences for interdict 

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English, alteration of entredite, from Anglo-French, from Latin interdictum prohibition, from neuter of interdictus, past participle of interdicere to interpose, forbid, from inter- + dicere to say — more at diction

First Known Use

Noun

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of interdict was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near interdict

interdialectal

interdict

interdictum

See More Nearby Entries 

Cite this Entry

“Interdict.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/interdict. Accessed 30 Nov. 2024.

Copy Citation

Share

Kids Definition

interdict

1 of 2 noun
in·​ter·​dict ˈint-ər-ˌdikt How to pronounce interdict (audio)
1
: a Roman Catholic ecclesiastical withdrawal of sacraments and Christian burial from a person or district
2
: prohibition sense 2

interdict

2 of 2 verb
in·​ter·​dict ˌint-ər-ˈdikt How to pronounce interdict (audio)
: to prohibit or forbid especially by an interdict
interdiction
-ˈdik-shən How to pronounce interdict (audio)
noun

Medical Definition

interdict

noun
in·​ter·​dict ˈint-ər-ˌdikt How to pronounce interdict (audio)
civil law
: one who has been determined to be incompetent to care for his or her own person or affairs (as by reason of mental incapacity)

Legal Definition

interdict

1 of 2 noun
in·​ter·​dict ˈin-tər-ˌdikt How to pronounce interdict (audio)
1
: something that prohibits
2
: one that has been interdicted compare ward

interdict

2 of 2 transitive verb
in·​ter·​dict ˌin-tər-ˈdikt How to pronounce interdict (audio)
1
in the civil law of Louisiana : to deprive (a person) of the right to care for one's own person or affairs because of mental incapacity compare commit, curator, tutor
2
: to authoritatively prohibit or bar (an act or conduct)
3
: to intercept or cut off (as a drug shipment) by force

More from Merriam-Webster on interdict

Nglish: Translation of interdict for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of interdict for Arabic Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about interdict

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See All

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)

Plural and Possessive Names: A Guide

The Difference Between 'i.e.' and 'e.g.'

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?
See All

Popular in Wordplay

See All

Terroir, Oenophile, & Magnum: Ten Words About Wine

8 Words for Lesser-Known Musical Instruments

10 Words from Taylor Swift Songs (Merriam's Version)

9 Superb Owl Words

15 Words That Used to Mean Something Different
See All

Games & Quizzes

See All
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Blossom Word Game Pick the best words!
Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
Commonly Confused Words Quiz Vol. 3 Do you have a (flare/flair) for choosing the righ...