forbid

verb

fər-ˈbid How to pronounce forbid (audio)
Definition of forbidnext
as in to prohibit
to order not to do or use or to be done or used smoking is forbidden throughout the building we forbid you to see him

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb forbid differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of forbid are inhibit, interdict, and prohibit. While all these words mean "to debar one from doing something or to order that something not be done," forbid implies that the order is from one in authority and that obedience is expected.

smoking is forbidden in the building

When would inhibit be a good substitute for forbid?

While in some cases nearly identical to forbid, inhibit implies restraints or restrictions that amount to prohibitions, not only by authority but also by the exigencies of the time or situation.

conditions inhibiting the growth of free trade

In what contexts can interdict take the place of forbid?

Although the words interdict and forbid have much in common, interdict implies prohibition by civil or ecclesiastical authority usually for a given time or a declared purpose.

practices interdicted by the church

When could prohibit be used to replace forbid?

While the synonyms prohibit and forbid are close in meaning, prohibit suggests the issuing of laws, statutes, or regulations.

prohibited the sale of liquor

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 forbid Sir Elton has forbidden us from contacting him in any way. —Mike Miller, Entertainment Weekly, 13 Sep. 2025 Others forbid it, noting the tool also offers to rewrite sentences. —Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 12 Sep. 2025 In June, the Denver City Council passed an ordinance forbidding scrap metal recycling dealers from paying cash for certain materials that include copper, bronze, brass and aluminum. —John Aguilar, Denver Post, 12 Sep. 2025 Under a 2018 state law, California businesses must provide customers with a way to forbid the sharing or sale of their personal information to businesses. —Calmatters, Mercury News, 11 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for forbid
Recent Examples of Synonyms for forbid
  1. prohibit
  2. ban
  3. outlaw
Verb
  • Declawing is already prohibited in multiple California cities, according to Lee’s office, including in West Hollywood, and the bill expands the ban statewide.
    — Kaitlyn Schallhorn, Oc Register, 16 Sep. 2025
  • Butera’s neutrality proposal, if approved by shareholders, would have prohibited Tesla leadership from making political statements, endorsements, or contributions in support or opposition to political parties or candidates.
    — Amanda Gerut, Fortune, 16 Sep. 2025
Definition of prohibit
Verb
  • Oregon Governor Tina Kotek signed an executive order banning phones in her state, too.
    — Arthur Jones II, ABC News, 15 Sep. 2025
  • The deadline for the popular app to find a non-Chinese buyer or be banned in the United States is September 17, after Trump extended it for the third time.
    — AFP, Fortune, 14 Sep. 2025
Definition of ban
Verb
  • His congressional pawns could have passed a law outlawing ridicule of the president.
    — Matt Robison, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 Sep. 2025
  • At a time when other states were moving to outlaw the practice and Missouri had yet to act, Sanders built one of Kansas City’s busiest operations, which experts claimed skirted loan-sharking laws by charging fees that a 1992 Kansas City Star article determined to be 384% annual interest.
    — Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 18 Sep. 2025
Definition of outlaw

Browse Nearby Words

forbears
forbid
forbiddance
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Forbid.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/forbid. Accessed 21 Sep. 2025.

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Nglish: Translation of forbid for Spanish Speakers

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