Synonyms of enjoin

enjoin

verb

in-ˈjȯin 

1

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

• demand
• require
• request
• ask
• claim
• command
• want
• call (for)
• need
• press (for)
• quest
• insist (on)
• exact
• stipulate (for)
• necessitate
• impose
• clamor (for)
• take
• plead (for)
• warrant
• harass
• cry (for)
• requisition
• dun
• hound
• badger

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• yield
• surrender
• give up
• relinquish

2

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

• instruct
• order
• tell
• ask
• command
• direct
• bid
• beg
• boss (around)
• advise
• adjure
• warn
• appoint
• require
• charge
• compel
• request
• petition
• authorize
• beseech
• counsel
• entreat
• force
• assign
• supervise
• coerce
• conduct
• oblige
• manage
• constrain
• oversee
• lead
• control
• superintend
• commission

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• keep
• follow
• obey
• mind
• observe
• comply (with)

3

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

• prohibit
• forbid
• ban
• outlaw
• discourage
• prevent
• stop
• halt
• proscribe
• preclude
• exclude
• bar
• restrain
• interdict
• deter
• dissuade
• quash
• deprive
• suppress
• curb
• repress
• impede
• hinder
• reject
• silence
• subdue
• disallow
• quell
• inhibit
• shut out
• rule out
• debar
• obstruct
• repudiate
• block
• veto
• embargo
• squelch
• check
• crack down (on)
• clamp down (on)
• put down
• crush
• snuff (out)
• squash
• rein (in)
• bridle

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• permit
• let
• allow
• suffer
• approve
• authorize
• endorse
• sanction
• indorse
• encourage
• promote
• warrant
• support
• forward
• cultivate
• advance
• license
• order
• further
• nurture
• nourish
• bid
• command
• tolerate
• abet
• abide
• endure
• bear
• licence
• countenance
• brook

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

Recent Examples of enjoin

Clooney enjoins his comrades to feel justified in twisting journalism from objectivity to partisanship. —Armond White, National Review, 30 Apr. 2025

Jenner & Block is now urging the judge to permanently enjoin the entire order. —Ashley Oliver, The Washington Examiner, 28 Apr. 2025

On Wednesday, Leon heard oral arguments on WilmerHale’s request to enjoin the order permanently. —Ruth Marcus, New Yorker, 25 Apr. 2025

The lawsuit wants a judge to declare the committee letter unconstitutional and enjoin the university from producing any documents. —Lexi Lonas Cochran, The Hill, 9 Apr. 2025

Podcast

Get Word of the Day delivered to your inbox!