embargo
2 synonyms and 2 antonyms for embargo, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — An official ban on trade with a particular country.
Synonyms
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
trade embargo
trade stoppage
Synonyms by Meaning
1. noun
An official ban on trade with a particular country.
“The United Nations imposed an embargo on arms sales to the region.”
trade embargo
trade stoppage
Opposites
2. verb
To officially ban trade with a country, or to ban the release of information.
“The government embargoed all oil exports to the country.”
Opposites
How to use embargo
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
impose an embargo
lift an embargo
trade embargo
under embargo
Etymology
From Spanish embargar, "to seize or restrain", ultimately from a Latin root meaning "to bar".
Full origin of embargo →Frequently asked questions
What does “embargo” mean?
The word “embargo” means an official ban on trade with a particular country. In plain terms, an official block — most often on trading with a country, but also used for holding back news until a set release time.
How do you pronounce “embargo”?
“Embargo” is pronounced ihm-BAH-goh (/ɪmˈbɑɹɡoʊ/ in IPA).
How do you use “embargo” in a sentence?
Here is “embargo” used in a sentence: “The United Nations imposed an embargo on arms sales to the region.”
What part of speech is “embargo”?
Depending on how it is used, “embargo” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “embargo” come from?
The word “embargo” comes from Latin. From Spanish embargar, "to seize or restrain", ultimately from a Latin root meaning "to bar".
Is “embargo” a common word?
“Embargo” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “embargo” have?
“Embargo” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: an official ban on trade with a particular country.
