What's the difference between
and
Enter two words to compare and contrast their definitions, origins, and synonyms to better understand how those words are related.

Contraband vs Embargo - What's the difference?

contraband | embargo |

As nouns the difference between contraband and embargo

is that contraband is any goods which are illicit or illegal to possess while embargo is an order by the government prohibiting ships from leaving port.

As verbs the difference between contraband and embargo

is that contraband is to import illegally; to smuggle while embargo is to impose an embargo on trading certain goods with another country.

As an adjective contraband

is prohibited from being traded.

contraband

English

Noun

(wikipedia contraband) (en-noun)
  • (uncountable) any goods which are illicit or illegal to possess
  • (uncountable) goods which are prohibited from being traded, smuggled goods
  • (countable, US, historical) A black slave during the American Civil War who had escaped to, or been captured by, Union forces.
  • * 1988 , James McPherson, Battle Cry of Freedom , Oxford 2003, p. 497:
    • While some Yanks treated contrabands with a degree of equity or benevolence, the more typical response was indifference, contempt, or cruelty.

    Adjective

    (en adjective)
  • prohibited from being traded
  • * 1940' – ' The Code of Federal Regulations of the United States of America: Having ... – Division of the Federal Register, the National Archives – Page 2191
    • "[...] when the seizure is made in connection with a violation involving a contraband article covered by section 1 (b) (1) of the said Act; [...]"
  • * 1953' – United States, United States. President, United States. Congress – ' United States Code Congressional and Administrative News – Page 2039
    • "The exclusion of mandatory payment of moieties for seizures of contraband controlled substances is accomplished through Section 17 of the bill, [...]"
  • * 1899' – Albert William Chaster – ' The Powers, Duties and Liabilities of Executive Officers as Between These ... – Stevens and Haynes – Page 55
    • "4. Contraband goods may be seized if found in a river before they are landed or offered for sale."

    Verb

    (en verb)
  • (obsolete) To import illegally; to smuggle.
    • (Johnson)
  • (obsolete) To declare prohibited; to forbid.
  • * Hudibras
    • The law severely contrabands / Our taking business off men's hands.

    embargo

    English

    (wikipedia embargo)

    Noun

    (en-noun)
  • An order by the government prohibiting ships from leaving port.
  • A ban on trade with another country.
  • * 2004 , , Character: Profiles in Presidential Courage
    • Instead he [Jefferson] proposed an embargo , an end to all trade between America and England.
  • A temporary ban on making certain information public.
  • * This copy of the federal budget is under embargo until 2 p.m.

    • Verb

  • To impose an embargo on trading certain goods with another country.
  • To impose an embargo on a document.

    • Anagrams

    * English nouns with irregular plurals ----