as in prohibiting
the act of ordering that something not be done or used
most of the restaurant's customers applauded the barring of the use of cell phones in the dining room
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in except
not including
we'll be there, barring rain or some other unexpected problem
Synonyms & Similar Words
1
2
as in forbidding
to order not to do or use or to be done or used
corporal punishment has long been barred in most public schools
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in excluding
to prevent the participation, consideration, or inclusion of
beach-goers are barred from walking in roped-off sections of the beach to protect nesting birds
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in guarding
to disallow entry into (a place) by means of a physical barrier at the entry point
the bikeway was barred by a huge fallen tree
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of barring
Charles Trepany, USA Today, 7 Nov. 2025
Becca Savransky, Idaho Statesman, 1 Apr. 2026
If instead funding comes from NASA’s far smaller planetary-science coffers, however, barring a significant budget boost, something else must die for Skyfall to fly.
—David W. Brown, Scientific American, 31 Mar. 2026
Tehran has moved to formalize its control of the artery, barring most vessels, while allowing a handful to pass, including from Pakistan, Thailand and Malaysia.
—The Dallas Morning News, Dallas Morning News, 30 Mar. 2026
Since then, Plyler has served as the legal foundation for federal guidance barring schools from asking about students’ immigration status and for civil rights enforcement under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act, which prohibits discrimination in public education.
—Jenni Fink, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Mar. 2026
Dredging is expected to start about April 6 and finish May 9, barring problems with equipment or weather.
—Phil Diehl, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 Mar. 2026
Pulisic and McKennie, for instance, are locks barring injury.
—Becky Sullivan, NPR, 28 Mar. 2026
At least 19 states, including Idaho, already have laws barring transgender people from using bathrooms and changing rooms that align with their gender in schools and, in some cases, other public places.
—ABC News, 27 Mar. 2026
Alongside barring revocation, Alonso also ruled the government couldn’t take any steps to remove Bojovic from his parent’s asylum application.
—Tess Kenny, Chicago Tribune, 23 Mar. 2026
Noun
Gen Z is 'monkey barring' — not cheating.
—Charles Trepany, USA Today, 7 Nov. 2025
Verb
In 2020, the Legislature passed a law barring trans women and girls from participating in women’s and girls sports.
—Becca Savransky, Idaho Statesman, 1 Apr. 2026
If instead funding comes from NASA’s far smaller planetary-science coffers, however, barring a significant budget boost, something else must die for Skyfall to fly.
—David W. Brown, Scientific American, 31 Mar. 2026
Tehran has moved to formalize its control of the artery, barring most vessels, while allowing a handful to pass, including from Pakistan, Thailand and Malaysia.
—The Dallas Morning News, Dallas Morning News, 30 Mar. 2026
Since then, Plyler has served as the legal foundation for federal guidance barring schools from asking about students’ immigration status and for civil rights enforcement under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act, which prohibits discrimination in public education.
—Jenni Fink, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Mar. 2026
Dredging is expected to start about April 6 and finish May 9, barring problems with equipment or weather.
—Phil Diehl, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 Mar. 2026
Pulisic and McKennie, for instance, are locks barring injury.
—Becky Sullivan, NPR, 28 Mar. 2026
At least 19 states, including Idaho, already have laws barring transgender people from using bathrooms and changing rooms that align with their gender in schools and, in some cases, other public places.
—ABC News, 27 Mar. 2026
Alongside barring revocation, Alonso also ruled the government couldn’t take any steps to remove Bojovic from his parent’s asylum application.
—Tess Kenny, Chicago Tribune, 23 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for barring
Preposition
-
At Dollywood’s DreamMore Resort, face masks are required in public areas, except when dining or swimming, capacity of public areas will be limited, and housekeeping and public area attendants will increase their cleaning procedures.—
Elizabeth Rhodes,
Travel + Leisure,
4 June 2020
-
The city advised all residents to stay inside except those going to and from work and anyone seeking or giving emergency care, according to Mayor Eric Garcetti's official Twitter account.—
NBC News,
NBC News,
1 June 2020
Verb
-
Traffic mitigation measures included planting tall trees and striping the road entrances red to preserve drivers’ line of sight.—
Nollyanne Delacruz,
Mercury News,
15 Mar. 2026
-
The amendment would also cut smaller public works construction projects, cut the line striping budget, reduce the budget for asphalt patching, cut vehicle maintenance operating budget and cut the building maintenance budget.—
Erik S. Hanley,
jsonline.com,
20 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Rather than prohibiting unlicensed copies, the patent became, combined with the rise of the internet, a blueprint for pirates.—
Simon Akam,
Vanity Fair,
2 Apr. 2026
-
According to the Wisconsin Watersports Coalition, at least eight states have enacted statewide buffer zones prohibiting wakeboats from operating within 200, 300, or 500 feet of shorelines and docks.—
Dac Collins,
Outdoor Life,
2 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
To the extent permitted by applicable law, all judgments or awards shall be limited to actual out-of-pocket damages (excluding attorneys’ fees) associated with participation in this Promotion and shall not include any indirect, punitive, incidental and/or consequential damages.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
1 Apr. 2026
-
Aysha Bagchi Chief Justice John Roberts appeared to question one of the arguments from the government for excluding the children of unauthorized immigrants from birthright citizenship.—
Maureen Groppe,
USA Today,
1 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Upon arrival at the estate, my car was buzzed through the gate guarding a rustic yet modern haven straight out of a storybook.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
3 Apr. 2026
-
No one else was shot or killed, including members of the presidential security detail who were supposed to be guarding the family.—
Jacqueline Charles,
Miami Herald,
25 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Still, Sylvain sees the banning of innocent users as a potential overcorrection.—
Annie Joy Williams,
The Atlantic,
23 Mar. 2026
-
Board members who have personal agendas – for example book banning, cell phone usage, gender and pronoun issues, history lessons, religious instruction – may be looking for a leader who feels similarly.—
Marsha Sutton,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
15 Mar. 2026
Preposition
-
But his death had many contributing factors besides being unable to breath while face down on the ground.—
Kevin Grasha,
Cincinnati.com,
2 June 2020
-
The airline’s crew members and ground services personnel are undergoing detailed health check-ups at regular intervals, besides wearing protective gear at all times.—
Niharika Sharma,
Quartz India,
31 May 2020
Verb
-
The ball is caromed out to Richard Hamilton, who comes streaking in from the top of the key to put up a runner—no good!—
Kels Dayton,
Hartford Courant,
30 Mar. 2026
-
Three months earlier, as Waddle was streaking towards an All-American campaign in his junior year, the receiver broke his ankle on the opening kickoff of an October game against Tennessee.—
Luca Evans,
Denver Post,
22 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Barring.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/barring. Accessed 5 Apr. 2026.
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