ENJOIN Synonyms: 140 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the verb 'enjoin' contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of enjoin are bid , charge , command , direct , instruct , and order . While all these words mean "to issue orders," enjoin implies giving an order or direction authoritatively and urgently and often with admonition or solicitude. // a sign enjoining patrons to be quiet

Q: When can 'bid' be used instead of 'enjoin'?

Although the words bid and enjoin have much in common, bid suggests giving orders peremptorily (as to children or servants). // she bade him be seated

Q: How do 'charge' and 'enjoin' relate to one another?

Charge adds to enjoin an implication of imposing as a duty or responsibility. // charged by the President with a secret mission

Q: How are the words 'command' and 'order' related as synonyms of 'enjoin'?

Both command and order imply authority and usually some degree of formality and impersonality; command stresses official exercise of authority. // a general commanding troops

Q: How does the word 'direct' relate to its synonym 'instruct', in the sense of 'enjoin'?

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

Q: Where would 'order' be a reasonable alternative to 'enjoin'?

While the synonyms order and enjoin are close in meaning, order may suggest peremptory or arbitrary exercise. // ordered his employees about like slaves

enjoin

verb

in-ˈjȯin

Definition of enjoin next

as in to demand

to ask for (something) earnestly or with authority police enjoined the community's full cooperation in getting rid of the drug dealers

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to instruct

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to prohibit

to order not to do or use or to be done or used Quakerism enjoins the taking of human life

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb enjoin contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of enjoin are bid, charge, command, direct, instruct, and order. While all these words mean "to issue orders," enjoin implies giving an order or direction authoritatively and urgently and often with admonition or solicitude.

a sign enjoining patrons to be quiet

When can bid be used instead of enjoin?

Although the words bid and enjoin have much in common, bid suggests giving orders peremptorily (as to children or servants).

she bade him be seated

How do charge and enjoin relate to one another?

Charge adds to enjoin an implication of imposing as a duty or responsibility.

charged by the President with a secret mission

How are the words command and order related as synonyms of enjoin?

Both command and order imply authority and usually some degree of formality and impersonality; command stresses official exercise of authority.

a general commanding troops

How does the word direct relate to its synonym instruct, in the sense of enjoin?

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

Where would order be a reasonable alternative to enjoin?

While the synonyms order and enjoin are close in meaning, order may suggest peremptory or arbitrary exercise.

ordered his employees about like slaves

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of enjoin Accordingly, the State is currently enjoined from carrying out congressional elections under the current map. —

Oren Oppenheim, ABC News, 30 Apr. 2026 The result will be a legal race to see which of those courts enjoins the policy first. —

John E. Jones Iii, The Conversation, 22 Apr. 2026 And that relief would be to sue to enjoin the parties from closing the transaction. —

Imani Cruzen, Twin Cities, 28 Mar. 2026 Yale psychologist and researcher Stanley Milgram demonstrated that good people will do bad things if enjoined to do so by an authority. —

Neil J. Rubenking, PC Magazine, 26 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for enjoin

Recent Examples of Synonyms for enjoin

Verb

His girlfriend, Syanna Ruiz, held their child in court, demanding the defendants remain behind bars.

— Madisen Keavy, CBS News, 2 July 2026
Trump had demanded Peters' release and threatened to withhold federal funds from Colorado if his demand was not met.

— Phillip M. Bailey, USA Today, 1 July 2026

Definition of demand

Verb

Ninety minutes later, Venezuela’s acting President Delcy Rodríguez retweeted the message from the Central American leader – a man whom the regime’s Chavista movement has long regarded as a political nemesis – instructing Venezuela’s foreign ministry to coordinate the support.

— Gonzalo Zegarra, CNN Money, 29 June 2026
That includes not even telling guests the full information about the wedding, with people invited reportedly instructed to arrive in New York, without being given details about when and where the wedding will be.

— Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 29 June 2026

Definition of instruct

Verb

Freedom 250 says blankets are allowed, but lawn chairs, coolers, drink tumblers and aerosol sunscreen are prohibited.

— Mike Stunson, USA Today, 3 July 2026
In February, a federal judge halted a California law that prohibited federal officers from wearing masks while on duty.

— Landon Mion, FOXNews.com, 3 July 2026

Definition of prohibit

Verb

The spacecraft will then be ordered to slowly approach and survey Swift before grabbing the observatory with its robotic arms and slowly raising the orbit to nearly 370 miles.

— Eric Lagatta, USA Today, 28 June 2026
Larger versions serving 10 to 12 guests can also be ordered for private celebrations.

— Shivani Vora, Forbes.com, 27 June 2026

Definition of order

Verb

Almost 50 years ago, the Islamic Republic first took the comfort of religion away and then forbade music and, in the process, isolated me even further.

— Lily Moayeri, SPIN, 29 June 2026
The agreement releases all survivors from any prior nondisclosure agreements and forbids any future such secrecy agreements, and prohibits any adult-to-minor digital communications in the archdiocese.

— Richard Winton, Los Angeles Times, 29 June 2026

Definition of forbid

Verb

During Murdaugh’s first status hearing on Monday, June 29, Judge Debra McCaslin did not rule on the DNA evidence, telling defense attorneys to clarify if the sample was viable.

— Sarah Rumpf-Whitten, FOXNews.com, 5 July 2026
My parents tell stories about me sleeping through loud construction, alarms, and heavy knocks on my bedroom door.

— Better Homes & Gardens, Better Homes & Gardens, 5 July 2026