ban 1 of 2

verb

ˈban How to pronounce ban (audio)
Definition of bannext
1
as in to prohibit
to order not to do or use or to be done or used the company absolutely bans smoking within its buildings

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2
as in to exclude
to prevent the participation, consideration, or inclusion of the university banned those caught in the cheating scandal from graduation ceremonies

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ban

2 of 2

noun

1
as in curse
a prayer that harm will come to someone a father's ban upon his ungrateful son

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in prohibition
an order that something not be done or used a quiet seaside resort with a ban on the drinking of alcohol in public places

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of ban
Verb
Because the knives’ large blades caused particularly bloody and gruesome injuries, many state legislatures banned them or imposed prohibitive taxes, the 7th Circuit panel said in its 2-1 decision. — Maureen Groppe, USA Today, 26 July 2026 Please, county supervisors, ban these properties from existing in our neighborhood. — U T Readers, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 July 2026
Noun
Kappa Alpha Psi chapters have been tied to several high-profile hazing cases despite the fraternity’s national ban on the practice. — Grethel Aguila, Miami Herald, 27 July 2026 At the time, the BBC reported that their travel ban was lifted after several high-level White House officials took an interest in their case. — Stylecaster Editors, StyleCaster, 27 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for ban
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ban
  1. prohibit
  2. exclude
  3. curse
  4. prohibition
  5. forbid
  6. eliminate
  7. condemnation
  8. outlaw
Verb
  • The order also prohibits the academy from restricting Bakken from sharing his personal viewpoints with students.
    — James LaPorta, CBS News, 31 July 2026
  • Moreno asked the Ohio judge overseeing the case to grant a restraining order that would prohibit Miller from harassing, physically touching, and/or verbally or electronically threatening Moreno’s counsel.
    — Charlotte Phillipp, PEOPLE, 31 July 2026
Definition of prohibit
Verb
  • In the years leading up to the trial, Matar's lawyers tried unsuccessfully to exclude some evidence from his social media accounts and other digital activity, arguing that the government's electronic searches cast too big a net.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 22 July 2026
  • What if Penelope’s waiting is her own form of aggression, a way of holding a space, for as long as possible, that excludes the men and their own attempts at power?
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 21 July 2026
Definition of exclude
Noun
  • Despite these flat denials, and no mention of the ‘curse’ before 1990, the mythology only grew as Mayo’s barren years piled up.
    — Conor O'Neill, New York Times, 27 July 2026
  • Questions and complaints are frequent and often descend into curse-laden spats.
    — Kyung Lah, CNN Money, 25 July 2026
Definition of curse
Noun
  • One Democratic commissioner joined with three Republicans in voting in favor of the prohibition.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 21 July 2026
  • The 14th Amendment’s foundational principles include birthright citizenship, due process, equal protection under the law, and the prohibition for heads of state to engage in acts of insurrection.
    — Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 21 July 2026
Definition of prohibition
Verb
  • The fastest e-bikes — manufactured to go 28 mph at top speed, according to factory specifications, but can be easily modified to go much, much faster — are already forbidden in county parks and on the West Orange Trail.
    — Steven Walker, The Orlando Sentinel, 26 July 2026
  • During the 19th century, traditional Tahitian dance performed at the annual Heiva (pronounced Hay-vah) was forbidden.
    — Marcia Luttrell, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 July 2026
Definition of forbid
Verb
  • Rewilding is taking place; around 200,000 Indigenous seedlings have been planted by lodge botanists to encourage native birds and eliminate invasive species.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 27 July 2026
  • The Nomis One features an inflatable door awning and weatherproof window panels in place of awnings, eliminating the extra time for strut installation.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 27 July 2026
Definition of eliminate
Noun
  • This provides the freedom for faculty and students to research, debate, teach and learn without fear of retribution or condemnation.
    — Daniel Diermeier, Forbes.com, 31 July 2026
  • The pressure is rising on FIFA President Gianni Infantino to ditch a World Cup privatization plan that could draw investments up to $20 billion, but which has drawn widespread condemnation from most of soccer's worldwide governing bodies.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 31 July 2026
Definition of condemnation
Verb
  • The league outlawed that technique between games, and Brodeur didn’t shake Avery’s hand after the series.
    — Sean McIndoe, New York Times, 25 July 2026
  • But our response should be to help American firms run faster — not to outlaw racing.
    — Craig Garthwaite, Fortune, 24 July 2026
Definition of outlaw

Browse Nearby Words

bamboozling
ban
banal
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Cite this Entry

“Ban.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ban. Accessed 3 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on ban

Nglish: Translation of ban for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about ban

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