Order and Permission: English Vocabulary List

to officially order something using one's higher authority

"The church ordained him as a priest."

"The religious ceremony will ordain the new priest and welcome him into the clergy after years of study and spiritual preparation and training."

to tell someone to do something by ordering or instructing them

"The judge enjoined the company from polluting."

"The court issued an order to enjoin the company from continuing to use the stolen trade secrets in its manufacturing process without permission."

to remove or reduce regulations or restrictions on a particular industry or activity

"The government plans to deregulate the industry."

"The new administration promised to deregulate the banking industry in order to stimulate economic growth and encourage more lending to small businesses."

to command someone to do something immediately, often as punishment

"The boss slapped on a task."

"The government decided to slap on a new tax on sugary drinks to discourage people from consuming too much sugar and to raise revenue for public health programs."

to forbid a specific action

"The judge interdicted the sale."

"The navy was ordered to interdict any suspicious ships that tried to enter the restricted military zone without proper authorization or clearance from the base."

to force someone to do something

"Do not pressurize him into making a decision."

"The sales team tried to pressurize me into signing the contract immediately by claiming that the special discount would expire at the end of the day."

to pressure someone into doing something through intimidation or threats

"He was dragooned into helping with the move."

"The aggressive manager tried to dragoon his employees into working overtime without pay by threatening to fire them if they refused to stay late."

to accept or forgive something that is commonly believed to be wrong

"I cannot condone such violent behavior."

"The school administration does not condone any form of bullying or harassment and any student found guilty will face serious consequences including possible expulsion."

to make an official judgment, decision, or order

"The king decreed a new law."

"The judge will decree the sentence for the convicted criminal after reviewing all the evidence."

to follow the rules, commands, or wishes of someone, showing compliance to their authority

"You must abide by the rules."

"All employees must abide by the company's strict safety rules or face immediate termination."

to forcefully pressure someone to do something

"Don't bludgeon me now."

"The dictator would bludgeon his opponents into submission through intimidation and threats."

to force someone to do something through threats or manipulation

"Do not coerce your friend."

"The manager tried to coerce his employees into working overtime without offering any extra pay."

to officially ban the existence or practice of something

"The law proscribes smoking indoors."

"The school rules explicitly proscribe the use of mobile phones during class hours."

to stop or bring an activity, process, or operation to an end

"The officer halted the suspicious vehicle."

"The security guard shouted at the intruder to halt immediately but the man ignored the command and continued running toward the emergency exit door."

to force someone to act in a certain way

"Rules constrain behavior."

"The strict regulations of the organization constrain employees from making independent decisions without prior approval from management."

to burden or harass someone with difficulties or demands

"Don't squeeze me."

"The constant demands from his creditors began to squeeze him financially and emotionally."

to forcefully push for something to be accepted or approved, often using strong actions to overcome resistance

"They rammed the proposal."

"The angry driver deliberately tried to ram his car into the back of the vehicle that had cut him off on the highway earlier."

to give or allow reluctantly or with displeasure

"Do not begrudge him his success."

"I do not begrudge him his success because he worked very hard for many years and truly deserves every bit of recognition and wealth he has earned."

to convince or make someone do something

"Hustle him to go."

"The salesman tried to hustle the customer into buying the more expensive model."