proscribe

What does “proscribe” mean?

verb.to forbid, especially by law.

SAT Usage

this term often appears in passages related to law, governance, or social issues, emphasizing the official and authoritative nature of restrictions imposed on behavior or practices. It conveys a sense of moral or legal judgment that goes beyond mere prohibition, contrasting with similar words like "ban," which may lack the formal or legal connotations.

Common Confusions

Proscribe implies a formal and authoritative prohibition often backed by law, while ban usually suggests a more general or informal restriction without the same legal weight.

Example Sentences

• The law proscribes driving a car while intoxicated.

• The word ‘ain’t’ is proscribed by many authorities.

• Many Roman citizens were proscribed for taking part in rebellions.

• The new policy will proscribe the sale of that chemical.

Word Parts: How to Remember “proscribe”

Break “proscribe” into its parts: pro- (forward, in favor of) + -scrib- (write). Knowing roots like these helps you decode unfamiliar SAT vocabulary.

• Prefix: pro- forward, in favor of (Latin)
• Root: -scrib- write (Latin)