interdict

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "interdict" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used in legal or formal contexts to refer to the act of prohibiting or forbidding something. Example: "The court decided to interdict the sale of the property until further investigation could be conducted."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

A more ambitious tactic would be to capture ground on Pakistan's side of the Line of Control (LoC) to interdict terrorists before they get across.Both strategies would have the virtue of confining the hostilities to what Pakistan calls "Azad (free) Kashmir", which it regards as disputed ground rather than as an integral part of its own territory.

The Economist

"We went through a phase in which we made the mistake of seeing ourselves as a supply transit centre, so we just had to interdict.

The Economist

The extra troops will also establish greater control of the open desert border with Pakistan in the south; they will seek to interdict fighters and weapons being smuggled into Afghanistan and drugs being taken out of it.This may lead to a rise in violence, at least in the short term.

The Economist

In 2002 it deployed maritime forces to the Arabian Sea to interdict terrorists, and sent troops to Afghanistan under American command.

The Economist

This is a legal grey area: Scotland has its own legal system, and prudent lawyers usually make sure that they apply for an "interdict" there to match any injunction obtained elsewhere.

The Economist

In annual bilateral defence talks last week in Washington, DC, America's secretary of defence, Donald Rumsfeld, pressed South Korea to join the American-led Proliferation Security Initiative, which is designed to interdict ships carrying material for weapons of mass destruction.

The Economist

The MV Al Noor, a rusting vessel, had set off from the Makran coast in south-west Pakistan and was intercepted by Western naval forces patrolling the Indian Ocean to deter Somali pirates and interdict smugglers of people.Western countries worry about the parallel with the cocaine-smuggling trade that developed in west Africa in the mid-2000s.

The Economist

Indian forces could capture Pakistani posts, maybe even seize a few kilometres of territory, which would help it interdict militants trying to cross the line.

The Economist

Alas, in a fast-globalising world, it is already impossible for governments to interdict the flow of nuclear goods and expertise.Take A.Q. Khan, the megalomaniac Pakistani scientist who built his country's bomb, then hawked its secrets to Iran, North Korea and Libya.

The Economist

Philip of France also turned a deaf ear to papal commands, even when the pope threatened excommunication and interdict in December 1073 and a year later announced that he would do everything in his power to depose Philip.

Encyclopedia Britannica

In March 1208, Innocent laid an interdict on England and excommunicated John (November 1209).

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When referring to military or law enforcement contexts, "interdict" accurately describes the act of stopping enemy forces or illegal goods. Ensure the context aligns with this specialized meaning.

Common error

Avoid using "interdict" in informal contexts or where a simpler term like "stop" or "prevent" would suffice. Overusing formal vocabulary can make your writing sound stilted or unnatural. It's best suited for legal, military, or historical discussions.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "interdict" is as a verb meaning to formally prohibit or forbid. It can also function as a noun, referring to a religious or legal prohibition. Ludwig AI examples demonstrate both usages in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

47%

Encyclopedias

37%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

11%

Academia

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "interdict" is a versatile term primarily functioning as a verb or noun. Ludwig AI identifies that it denotes formal prohibition or interception, often in legal, military, or religious contexts. Predominantly found in news, encyclopedias and business related source, its correct usage enhances the precision and authority of written communication. While grammatically sound, remember to use simpler terms in informal settings, as its formal tone may sound unnatural. "Interdict" is deemed correct by Ludwig, making it a valuable tool in formal writing when used appropriately.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

prohibit

Replaces "interdict" with a more common and direct synonym for forbidding something.

forbid

A straightforward synonym, similar to "prohibit", emphasizing the act of disallowing.

ban

Implies a formal or legal prohibition, often with a wider scope than "interdict".

lay under interdiction

Rephrases the action of imposing a religious interdict, maintaining the formal and specific context.

block

Focuses on preventing movement or access, a more physical sense of obstruction.

enjoin

A formal term for legally prohibiting an action, often used in court orders.

intercept

Highlights the action of stopping something in transit, specifically for physical objects or communications.

obstruct

Suggests hindering or impeding progress, often with a less formal or legal connotation.

place an embargo on

Specifies a trade or economic prohibition, a more specific type of restriction.

restrict

Implies setting limits or boundaries, a less absolute form of prohibition.

FAQs

How can I use "interdict" in a sentence?

You can use "interdict" to describe formally prohibiting something, such as "The government decided to interdict the import of certain goods." It can also mean intercepting something, like "The navy will interdict any ships carrying illegal weapons."

What's the difference between "interdict" and "prohibit"?

"Interdict" often implies a more formal or authoritative prohibition, sometimes with legal or religious connotations. "Prohibit" is a more general term for forbidding something.

What are some synonyms for "interdict"?

Synonyms for "interdict" include "forbid", "ban", "prohibit", and "intercept". The best choice depends on the specific context.

What does it mean to place a country under "interdict"?

In a historical or religious context, to place a country under "interdict" means to prohibit the administration of sacraments within that territory. This was a form of papal censure used in the Middle Ages.