proscribed

USAGE SUMMARY

The part of the phrase "proscribed" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to something that is forbidden or prohibited by law, rule, or authority. Example: "The organization has a strict policy against proscribed behaviors that could harm its reputation."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Related: Budapest autumn: hollowing out democracy on the edge of Europe Hungary abolished the death penalty – after this was proscribed by the EU charter of fundamental rights – following the collapse of communism in 1989.

The Guardian

The group is proscribed as a terrorist organisation by the UN because it operates as a front organisation for Lashkar-e-Taiba, the group that executed the 2008 attacks on the Indian city of Mumbai.

The Guardian

SIR — It is a scandal worthy of Suetonius that A-Level ancient history has been proscribed in English schools.

The Economist

The authorities in Dubai, a hop across the Persian Gulf from Iran's southern coast, no longer welcome Iranian businesses or workers, Iranian banks are boycotted by companies around the world, and shipments to or from Iran are delayed by customs officials on suspicion that their cargoes are proscribed.

The Economist

But it has been proscribed ever since, and has seemed a spent political force.

The Economist

But the Maoists, proscribed by America as terrorists, were on course for a clear majority in the first tranche, with 119 seats out of 224.

The Economist

In the past few months top religious officials, including the minister of justice and the head of the religious police in the Mecca region, which includes Jeddah, have declared ikhtilat a modern term not proscribed by Islamic law.

The Economist

However sceptical one might be about the intelligence, we said, "only a fool or a knave" would accept Mr Hussein's plea of innocence: a country with Iraq's record deserved no presumption of innocence.So Messrs Bush and Blair seem to have believed, with good reason, that Iraq possessed proscribed weapons.

The Economist

The difficulty, say legal experts, is that no organisation can be proscribed under Japan's anti-subversion law unless it can be shown to be politically motivated.

The Economist

Jaish-e-Muhammad, a Pakistan-based group that reportedly took responsibility for the Srinagar attack and then disclaimed it, has already been proscribed as a terrorist organisation by Britain and may soon be by the United States.Pakistan has long disagreed, insisting that insurgents against Indian rule in Kashmir are indigenous "freedom fighters".

The Economist

Troublesome outfits will be proscribed and their meeting places shut.Quite right too, said the Conservative opposition and many of Britain's newspapers.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "proscribed" to denote a formal or legal prohibition. It's stronger than "forbidden" and implies an official decree.

Common error

Avoid using "proscribed" in casual conversation or informal writing. Opt for simpler words like "banned" or "forbidden" in less formal situations.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "proscribed" is as a past participle of the verb 'proscribe', which means to forbid or outlaw. Ludwig AI confirms this with numerous examples where it describes actions or entities officially banned.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

36%

Encyclopedias

26%

Science

18%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "proscribed" functions as a past participle denoting something officially forbidden, commonly appearing in formal contexts like news, encyclopedias, and scientific publications. Ludwig AI shows that "proscribed" is grammatically sound and widely used in reputable sources. While alternatives like "forbidden" or "banned" exist, "proscribed" carries a stronger, more formal tone. When writing, it's best to reserve this word for situations involving legal or organizational prohibitions, avoiding its use in informal settings. Understanding these nuances will ensure accurate and impactful communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

forbidden

Indicates a direct order against something; less formal than "proscribed".

banned

A simpler, more common term for officially prohibiting something.

outlawed

Specifically refers to something made illegal by law.

prohibited

A formal synonym, emphasizing the act of preventing something by authority.

interdicted

A more formal term for prohibiting or restraining.

disallowed

Indicates that something is not permitted or approved.

vetoed

Suggests a rejection of a proposal or action by someone with authority.

restricted

Implies limitations have been placed on something.

forbidden

Indicates a direct order against something; less formal than "proscribed".

suppressed

Suggests forcibly putting an end to something.

FAQs

How is "proscribed" typically used in a sentence?

The word "proscribed" is generally used to describe something that has been forbidden or outlawed, often by legal or official decree. For example, "The activity was "proscribed" by the government."

What words can I use instead of "proscribed"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "forbidden", "banned", "outlawed", or "prohibited".

Is there a subtle difference between "proscribed" and "prohibited"?

While both terms indicate something is not allowed, "proscribed" often carries a stronger connotation of formal or legal condemnation, whereas "prohibited" can apply more broadly. "Smoking is "prohibited" in this area" vs. "The organization was "proscribed" under the new law."

When is it most appropriate to use the term "proscribed"?

The term "proscribed" is best used in formal or legal contexts where something has been officially forbidden. It is often used when discussing laws, regulations, or organizational rules. It is less common in informal conversation or writing.