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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 Four courts have now enjoined the order, and have taken the unusual step of ruling from the bench in each case. Tom Rogers, Newsweek, 22 Feb. 2025 The court ruled in the plaintiffs favor, enjoining the Executive Order. Solcyré Burga, TIME, 19 Feb. 2025 As a result, the court enjoined the government from enforcing the CTA against the plaintiffs and their related entities while the lawsuit continued. Kelly Phillips Erb, Forbes, 11 Feb. 2025 As a result, the court enjoined the government from enforcing the CTA against the Plaintiffs, Samantha Smith and Robert Means, and their related entities while the lawsuit continues. Kelly Phillips Erb, Forbes, 6 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for enjoin
Recent Examples of Synonyms for enjoin
Verb
  • As consumers and businesses keep pushing the limits of speed, functionality, and reliability, society demands innovation — and fast.
    William Jones, USA Today, 26 Apr. 2025
  • Will Lai take provocative actions that demand a response?
    Ian Bremmer, Time, 26 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Reports emerged shortly after over the school’s emergency alert system, sending students and faculty into a panic as they were instructed to seek shelter.
    Milena Malaver, Miami Herald, 18 Apr. 2025
  • Hasn’t instructed the front office to sign one free agent.
    Doug Haller, New York Times, 18 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Under the terms of the 1996 Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT), all nuclear explosions are prohibited whether for military or peaceful purposes.
    Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 Apr. 2025
  • Though the agency is prohibited from censorship or infringing the First Amendment rights of media, broadcasters cannot intentionally distort the news.
    Dawn Chmielewski, USA Today, 24 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • As a result of Moms Demand Action's district-by-district advocacy, more than 11 million students across the country now live in a district that requires schools to educate parents about the critical role of secure firearm storage in keeping students safe.
    Alyssa Goldberg, USA Today, 25 Apr. 2025
  • Back then, most cake recipes were complicated, contained lots of ingredients, and required a mixer.
    Ann Taylor Pittman, Southern Living, 24 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • But last week, the Trump administration ordered him to halt all the lab’s ALS research immediately as part of a more than $2.2 billion federal funding freeze.
    Chelsea Bailey, CNN Money, 23 Apr. 2025
  • Women can order Oova kits directly and receive 30 days' worth of hormone testing.
    Geri Stengel, Forbes.com, 23 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Ord also forbade any state money to be paid to the families of deceased Confederate soldiers if the same amounts were not also made available to the families of Union soldiers.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 19 Apr. 2025
  • The Constitution explicitly forbids Congress from issuing bills of attainder—laws that single out individuals for punishment without trial.
    Tony Bradley, Forbes.com, 18 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • As his May 5 trial looms, Combes earlier this week requested a postponement of the legal proceeding.
    Nicole Fallert, USA Today, 19 Apr. 2025
  • During the course of the case, Grossman requested a wide range of documentation, related to OSA records, the alleged victim’s mental health, her email communication with Taylor and her hospital records, according to court filings.
    Nate Gartrell, Mercury News, 19 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • The percentage tells the public how much of the fire perimeter is believed to not go beyond the control lines.
    CA WILDFIRE BOT, Sacbee.com, 21 Apr. 2025
  • Trump told the brief story behind the biblical holiday centered on Jesus Christ, who, according to Christian tradition, was crucified on a cross and then rose from the dead.
    Jenny Goldsberry, The Washington Examiner, 20 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Enjoin.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/enjoin. Accessed 29 Apr. 2025.

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