Enjoin — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

verb /in-ˈjȯin/ en·join

Meaning & Definition of Enjoin

Enjoin (verb)

  1. to direct or impose by authoritative order or with urgent admonition
  2. forbid, prohibit
  3. to prohibit by a judicial order, put an injunction on

Enjoin (verb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. to ask for (something) earnestly or with authority

    "police enjoined the community's full cooperation in getting rid of the drug dealers"

    similar: call (for), claim, clamor (for), command, demand, exact, insist (on), press (for), quest, stipulate (for)
    related: ask, plead (for), request, want, cry (for), necessitate, need, require, take, warrant, requisition, impose, badger, dun, harass, hound
    near: give up, relinquish, surrender, yield

  2. to issue orders to (someone) by right of authority

    "undeterred, the captain enjoined his crew to sail at full speed into the mine-filled harbor"

    similar: adjure, bid, boss (around), charge, command, direct, instruct, order, tell
    related: ask, petition, request, beg, beseech, entreat, advise, counsel, warn, appoint, assign, authorize, commission, oversee, superintend, supervise, conduct, control, lead, manage, coerce, compel, constrain, force, oblige, require
    opposite: mind, obey
    near: comply (with), follow, keep, observe

  3. to order not to do or use or to be done or used

    "Quakerism enjoins the taking of human life"

    similar: ban, bar, forbid, interdict, outlaw, prohibit, proscribe
    related: deter, discourage, dissuade, clamp down (on), crack down (on), crush, put down, quash, quell, repress, silence, snuff (out), squash, squelch, subdue, suppress, halt, preclude, prevent, stop, embargo, exclude, rule out, shut out, debar, deprive, disallow, reject, repudiate, veto, bridle, check, curb, inhibit, rein (in), restrain, block, hinder, impede, obstruct
    opposite: allow, let, permit, suffer
    near: approve, endorse, sanction, authorize, license, warrant, abet, advance, cultivate, encourage, forward, further, nourish, nurture, promote, support, bid, command, order, abide, bear, brook, countenance, endure, tolerate

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Enjoin

The most common words with a similar meaning to Enjoin:

call (for), claim, clamor (for), command, demand, exact, insist (on), press (for), quest, stipulate (for), adjure, bid, boss (around), charge, direct, instruct, order, tell, ban, bar, forbid, interdict, outlaw, prohibit, proscribe

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Enjoin

Words with the opposite meaning of Enjoin:

mind, obey, allow, let, permit, suffer

Related Words for Enjoin

ask, plead (for), request, want, cry (for), necessitate, need, require, take, warrant, requisition, impose, badger, dun, harass, hound, petition, beg, beseech, entreat, advise, counsel, warn, appoint, assign, authorize, commission, oversee, superintend, supervise

Near Antonyms of Enjoin

give up, relinquish, surrender, yield, comply (with), follow, keep, observe, approve, endorse, sanction, authorize, license, warrant, abet, advance, cultivate, encourage, forward, further, nourish, nurture, promote, support, bid, command, order, abide, bear, brook

Word Forms of Enjoin

Inflections: enjoined, enjoining, enjoins

Origin & Etymology of Enjoin

Middle English, from Anglo-French enjoindre, from Latin injungere, from in- + jungere to join yoke

First known use: 13th century

Frequently Asked Questions about Enjoin

What does "Enjoin" mean?

"Enjoin" means to direct or impose by authoritative order or with urgent admonition. As a verb, it is defined as: to direct or impose by authoritative order or with urgent admonition. It has 3 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Enjoin"?

Other words for "Enjoin" include call (for), claim, clamor (for), command, demand, exact, insist (on) and press (for). The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Enjoin" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Enjoin"?

There are 104 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Enjoin". Common alternatives include call (for), claim, clamor (for), command, demand, exact, insist (on), press (for), quest and stipulate (for).

What is the opposite of "Enjoin"?

Antonyms of "Enjoin" include mind, obey, allow, let, permit and suffer. Near antonyms include give up, relinquish, surrender and yield.

How do you use "Enjoin" in a sentence?

Examples of "Enjoin" in a sentence: "police enjoined the community's full cooperation in getting rid of the drug dealers"; "undeterred, the captain enjoined his crew to sail at full speed into the mine-filled harbor"; "Quakerism enjoins the taking of human life".

Is "Enjoin" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Enjoin" is a verb.

How do you pronounce "Enjoin"?

"Enjoin" is pronounced /in-ˈjȯin/ and divided into syllables as en·join.

What is the origin of the word "Enjoin"?

"Enjoin" comes from Middle English, from Anglo-French enjoindre, from Latin injungere, from in- + jungere to join yoke. First known use: 13th century.