enjoin

/ɛnˈʤɔɪn/
IPA guide

Other forms: enjoined; enjoining; enjoins

To enjoin is to issue an urgent and official order. If the government tells loggers to stop cutting down trees, they are enjoining the loggers to stop.

Enjoin looks like it should mean bring together, and at one time, it did have that meaning. But in current usage, the only thing enjoin brings together is a command and the person on the receiving end of that order. If your doctor enjoins you to stop smoking, he is suggesting strongly that you quit.

Definitions of enjoin
  1. verb
    give instructions to or direct somebody to do something with authority
    synonyms: order, say, tell
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    types:
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    direct
    command with authority
    instruct
    give instructions or directions for some task
    command, require
    make someone do something
    call, send for
    order, request, or command to come
    warn
    ask to go away
    charge
    instruct or command with authority
    charge
    instruct (a jury) about the law, its application, and the weighing of evidence
    burden, charge, saddle
    impose a task upon, assign a responsibility to
    requisition
    make a formal request for official services
    cite, summon, summons
    call in an official matter, such as to attend court
    beep
    call, summon, or alert with a beeper
    call back, recall
    summon to return
    call in
    summon to a particular activity or employment
    lift
    call to stop the hunt or to retire, as of hunting dogs
    muster
    call to duty, military service, jury duty, etc.
    disallow, forbid, interdict, nix, prohibit, proscribe, veto
    command against
    hail
    call for
    summon
    ask to come
    stet
    printing: direct that a matter marked for omission or correction is to be retained (used in the imperative)
    call up, mobilise, mobilize, rally
    call to arms; of military personnel
    type of:
    request
    ask (a person) to do something
  2. verb
    issue an injunction
    see moresee less
    type of:
    disallow, forbid, interdict, nix, prohibit, proscribe, veto
    command against
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