“Proscribed” means something is officially forbidden, banned, or not allowed—usually by an authority like the law, a school, or an organization. If an action or item is proscribed, you are not supposed to do it or have it.
In everyday talk, people use it when rules are strict: a campus might proscribe loud music after midnight, a diet app might proscribe sugar, or a country might proscribe certain chemicals. You’ll hear, “These drugs are proscribed,” meaning they’re outlawed, or “The company proscribes personal use of the work laptop,” meaning that use is off-limits.
Meaning & Usage Examples
• “Smoking is proscribed on all flights.” (It’s banned.)
• “The league proscribes performance-enhancing substances.” (They’re not allowed.)
• “Our lease proscribes pets without written approval.” (Pets are forbidden unless the landlord says yes.)
Context / Common Use
You’ll most often meet “proscribed” in legal, medical, or policy documents—places where clear rules matter. It sounds more formal than “banned,” so people may switch to “not allowed” in casual chat, but the meaning stays the same: don’t do it.
Is “proscribed” the same as “prescribed”?
No. “Prescribed” means recommended or ordered (like medicine), while “proscribed” means forbidden.
Can a person be proscribed?
Yes. Governments can proscribe individuals or groups, making it illegal to support or associate with them.
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