Crossword puzzles often test not only our vocabulary but also our reasoning skills. One clue that tends to appear frequently in both standard and cryptic crosswords is legally prohibit. This type of clue may sound straightforward at first, but solvers often find themselves stuck between similar meanings or synonyms. Understanding the potential answers for legally prohibit and learning how to approach this type of crossword clue can dramatically improve your puzzle-solving ability. Whether you are a casual solver or an avid cruciverbalist, decoding this clue is a good exercise in word association and puzzle logic.
Understanding the Clue
The Definition: What Does Legally Prohibit Mean?
To legally prohibit something means to formally ban or forbid it through legal means. It implies that there is a law, rule, or regulation backing the prohibition. This might refer to actions taken by governments, courts, or regulatory bodies. In crossword terms, the clue is likely asking for a verb that fits this definition and matches a specific number of letters in the puzzle.
Common Synonyms
Several verbs can be used as synonyms for legally prohibit, especially depending on the number of letters needed to fill the crossword slot. Common answers include:
- Ban
- Bar
- Outlaw
- Forbid
- Enjoin
- Proscribe
Each of these fits the clue in certain contexts. The specific choice will often depend on how many letters the answer requires and whether the surrounding answers suggest any confirmed letters.
Popular Answers by Letter Count
3-Letter Answer
The most common 3-letter answer is:
- Ban This is a direct synonym for legally prohibit and fits neatly in many shorter slots in puzzles.
4-Letter Answer
A 4-letter alternative could be:
- Bar Although usually shorter, bar can appear as a 4-letter answer if combined with a suffix or used in plural or past tense like barr.
5-Letter Answer
In puzzles with a 5-letter slot, a good candidate is:
- Forbid A common verb used in both legal and general language to mean prohibition.
6-Letter Answer
- Outlaw Refers to making something illegal or removing legal protection. Often used in legal and historical contexts.
- Enjoin A formal legal term often used in court language, meaning to prohibit or restrain legally through injunction.
8-Letter Answer
- Proscribe This is a more sophisticated synonym of legally prohibit, often used in legal or scholarly writing.
Context Matters in Crossword Clues
How Wordplay Changes Meaning
In cryptic crosswords, clues can become more complex. Legally prohibit may appear as part of a larger phrase or use misdirection. For instance:
- Legally prohibit traveling around Spain Might hint at inserting the abbreviation E (for España) into a word meaning ban.
- Legally prohibit fast learner’s first penalty Could be an anagram or involve initials.
In simple or quick crosswords, the clue is more likely to rely on direct synonyms.
Clue Variants and Related Phrases
Sometimes legally prohibit will appear in reworded forms, such as:
- Officially forbid
- Make illegal
- Issue injunction against
- Order to cease legally
Recognizing that all these variants point toward a similar legal action will help you in understanding and solving more quickly.
Tips for Solving This Clue
Use the Surrounding Letters
If you’ve filled out parts of the grid, use those intersecting letters to help narrow down possibilities. For example, if you know the clue is 6 letters and you already have U L W, then outlaw becomes the most likely answer.
Think in Legal Terms
This clue clearly points toward a legal action. Consider common legal verbs, particularly ones used in court contexts or formal documents. Words like enjoin and proscribe may not be common in speech but are used regularly in legal discussions.
Consider the Puzzle Type
In The New York Times or The Guardian crosswords, you may find more obscure or formal answers like proscribe. In more casual or entertainment-based puzzles, ban or outlaw may be more common due to accessibility.
Why It’s a Frequently Used Clue
Good Letter Mix
Words like ban, bar, and outlaw offer diverse vowel and consonant combinations, which fit nicely into many grid designs. Crossword constructors favor these words because they help build interconnected sections of the grid.
Clue Simplicity
Legally prohibit is concise and direct. It’s a great way to anchor a section of a crossword grid while still requiring the solver to think through synonyms and spelling.
Common Mistakes
Choosing Too General a Word
Solvers sometimes opt for stop, halt, or deny, which don’t carry the same legal specificity. Remember that the clue often points to a legal action, not just general prevention.
Overlooking Formal Vocabulary
More complex answers like enjoin or proscribe are easily missed due to their rare usage in everyday language. However, crossword puzzles often favor such vocabulary to increase difficulty or to match a specific grid design.
Examples from Popular Crosswords
Sample Clue & Answer Sets
- Clue: Legally prohibit a product Answer: Ban
- Clue: Court decision to legally prohibit Answer: Enjoin
- Clue: To outlaw officially Answer: Proscribe
From Real Puzzle Archives
In a 2022 New York Times crossword, the clue Legally prohibit had Ban as its answer in a Tuesday puzzle. Conversely, a Thursday puzzle from The Times used Proscribe for the same clue, signaling a greater difficulty level due to the rarity of the term.
Legally prohibit is a highly versatile crossword clue that can range in complexity depending on the puzzle type and word length. Whether the answer is ban, outlaw, forbid, or the more advanced proscribe or enjoin, it requires a good grasp of both vocabulary and legal nuance. Understanding the context of the puzzle, using crossing letters, and recognizing synonyms will significantly increase your chances of finding the correct answer. Keep practicing, and this type of clue will soon become one of your easiest to solve.