enjoin
To legally prohibit or order someone to do or not do something
Examples
In a meeting
“The court enjoined the company from releasing the product until safety testing was complete.”
Over coffee
“The homeowners association enjoined us from painting the fence blue.”
Why this word
order
Enjoin is the specific legal term for a court directive, particularly to prohibit action; order is general
forbid
Forbid is general prohibition; enjoin is the formal legal term for court-ordered prohibition or mandate
prohibit
Prohibit is general prevention; enjoin specifically refers to a judicial command or injunction
Usage tip
Often used in legal contexts for court orders; can mean both to command and to prohibit depending on context.
Etymology
Old French 'enjoindre' from Latin 'injungere' (in- 'upon' + jungere 'join')
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Related words
mandate
An official order or requirement to do something; to officially require.
rescind
To officially cancel or revoke a decision, law, or agreement
invoke
To cite or appeal to something as authority or justification
nullify
To make something legally void or completely ineffective
enforce
To make sure a rule or law is obeyed
empower
To give someone the authority or confidence to do something