enjoin

verb

en·join | \ in-ˈjȯin

, en-\

enjoined; enjoining; enjoins

Definition of enjoin

transitive verb

1 : to direct or impose by authoritative order or with urgent admonition enjoined us to be careful

2a : forbid, prohibit was enjoined by conscience from telling a lie

b : to prohibit by a judicial order : put an injunction on a book had been enjoined prior to publication— David Margolick

Other Words from enjoin Synonyms Choose the Right Synonym What do enjoin and junta Have in Common? More Example Sentences Learn More about enjoin

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Choose the Right Synonym for enjoin

command, order, bid, enjoin, direct, instruct, charge mean to issue orders. command and order imply authority and usually some degree of formality and impersonality. command stresses official exercise of authority. a general commanding troops order may suggest peremptory or arbitrary exercise. ordered his employees about like slaves bid suggests giving orders peremptorily (as to children or servants). she bade him be seated enjoin implies giving an order or direction authoritatively and urgently and often with admonition or solicitude. a sign enjoining patrons to be quiet direct and instruct both connote expectation of obedience and usually concern specific points of procedure or method, instruct sometimes implying greater explicitness or formality. directed her assistant to hold all calls the judge instructed the jury to ignore the remark charge adds to enjoin an implication of imposing as a duty or responsibility. charged by the President with a secret mission

What do enjoin and junta Have in Common?

Which of these words do you think has the same root as enjoin? a. entelechy b. joy c. junta d. purloin It might help if we tell you that enjoin derives ultimately from the verb jungere, which means "to join." Jungere is behind a number of English words, including join, conjoin, disjoin, and junction. Are you ready for your answer? The correct choice is junta, a term that entered English by way of Spanish. A junta is a committee that controls a government, especially after a revolutionary seizure of power - in other words, a group of persons joined together for a specific purpose.

Examples of enjoin in a Sentence

He was enjoined by his conscience from telling a lie. The judge enjoined them from selling the property.

Recent Examples on the Web

In 1953, the Justice Department persuaded U.S. District Judge Allan Grim to partially enjoin the NFL from restricting teams from broadcasting their games. — Michael Mccann, SI.com, "Why DirecTV’s NFL Sunday Ticket Might Be Illegal Under Antitrust Law," 14 Aug. 2019 Cleveland Municipal Judge Michael Nelson has called for a consent decree with the U.S. Department of Justice that would enjoin the county in a mandatory reform agreement with the oversight of a federal judge. — Adam Ferrise, cleveland.com, "Medical care, forced lockdowns and unsanitary conditions still problems at Cuyahoga County Jail, state says," 25 July 2019 Don’t forget that public outcry (due in large part to media reporting) caused the administration to end its loathsome practice of family separation, and federal courts enjoined the practice and ordered family reunification. — David French, National Review, "In the New York Times, a ‘Human Rights’ Professor Calls for Mob Rule," 1 July 2019 One of the lawsuit, filed by civil rights attorney Terry Gilbert, calls for a consent decree that would enjoin the county in a mandatory reform agreement with the U.S. Department of Justice with the oversight of a federal judge. — Adam Ferrise, cleveland.com, "Cuyahoga County Jail inmate put on life support after attempted suicide, sources say," 7 July 2019 Absent such authority, Defendants’ position on these factors boils down to an argument that the Court should not enjoin conduct found to be unlawful because the ends justify the means. — Washington Post, "U.S. judge expands ban on constructing sections of Trump’s border wall in Calif., Ariz., while also clearing way for quick appeal," 28 June 2019 In the Catholic moral system there is a list of works of mercy enjoined on believers. — John Crowley, Harper's magazine, "Works of Mercy," 10 Apr. 2019 As the aggrieved dyer’s wife prepares to go to bed alone, the three baritone watchmen are heard in ceremonious unison enjoining husbands and wives to love each other, entrusting them with the seed of new life. — Larry Wolff, The New York Review of Books, "A Resonant Centenary for Strauss at the Vienna State Opera," 13 June 2019 One of the opera’s most haunting moments, at the conclusion of the first act, is when a trio of nightwatchmen is heard enjoining in ceremonious unison husbands and wives to love each other, entrusting them with the seed of new life. — The New York Review of Books, "The Art of the Possible at Havana’s Bienal," 15 June 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'enjoin.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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More Definitions for enjoin

enjoin

verb

English Language Learners Definition of enjoin

formal

: to direct or order (someone) to do something

: to prevent (someone) from doing something especially : to give a legal order preventing (someone) from doing something

See the full definition for enjoin in the English Language Learners Dictionary

enjoin

transitive verb

en·join | \ in-ˈjȯin

Legal Definition of enjoin

: to prohibit by judicial order : issue an injunction against a three-judge district court had enjoined the plans— W. J. Brennan, Jr.

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enjoin

Definition of enjoin

Synonyms for enjoin

Choose the Right Synonym for enjoin

What do enjoin and junta Have in Common?

Examples of enjoin in a Sentence

First Known Use of enjoin

History and Etymology for enjoin

English Language Learners Definition of enjoin

Legal Definition of enjoin