PROHIBIT Synonyms: 78 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the verb 'prohibit' differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of prohibit are forbid , inhibit , and interdict . While all these words mean "to debar one from doing something or to order that something not be done," prohibit suggests the issuing of laws, statutes, or regulations. // prohibited the sale of liquor

Q: When can 'forbid' be used instead of 'prohibit'?

In some situations, the words forbid and prohibit are roughly equivalent. However, forbid implies that the order is from one in authority and that obedience is expected. // smoking is forbidden in the building

Q: When is it sensible to use 'inhibit' instead of 'prohibit'?

The synonyms inhibit and prohibit are sometimes interchangeable, but 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

Q: When could 'interdict' be used to replace 'prohibit'?

While the synonyms interdict and prohibit are close in meaning, interdict implies prohibition by civil or ecclesiastical authority usually for a given time or a declared purpose. // practices interdicted by the church

prohibit

verb

prō-ˈhi-bət

Definition of prohibit next

as in to forbid

to order not to do or use or to be done or used the city prohibits swimming in the lake after dark

Synonyms & Similar Words

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How does the verb prohibit differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of prohibit are forbid, inhibit, and interdict. While all these words mean "to debar one from doing something or to order that something not be done," prohibit suggests the issuing of laws, statutes, or regulations.

prohibited the sale of liquor

When can forbid be used instead of prohibit?

In some situations, the words forbid and prohibit are roughly equivalent. However, forbid implies that the order is from one in authority and that obedience is expected.

smoking is forbidden in the building

When is it sensible to use inhibit instead of prohibit?

The synonyms inhibit and prohibit are sometimes interchangeable, but 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

When could interdict be used to replace prohibit?

While the synonyms interdict and prohibit are close in meaning, interdict implies prohibition by civil or ecclesiastical authority usually for a given time or a declared purpose.

practices interdicted by the church

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 prohibit Under city ethics law, a municipal employee is prohibited from working on any matters involving a private firm with which the employee has a financial relationship. —

Chris Sommerfeldt, New York Daily News, 30 Jan. 2025 Tucker could still face consequences under NFL and team rules, as the league's conduct policy prohibits actions that jeopardize its integrity. —

Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 30 Jan. 2025 The Arkansas Senate City, County and Local Affairs Committee on Thursday rejected a bill that would prohibit businesses from digital asset mining within a 30-mile radius of five military facilities in Arkansas. —

Michael R. Wickline, arkansasonline.com, 30 Jan. 2025 The stations require licenses approved by the FCC to operate, and these licenses limit them as non-commercial educational broadcast stations, which are prohibited by federal law from airing advertisements. —

Liam Reilly, CNN, 30 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for prohibit

Recent Examples of Synonyms for prohibit

Verb

For now, however, Workday — and its workers — must navigate a forbidding landscape of layoffs and reductions in the company’s workspaces.

— George Avalos, The Mercury News, 6 Feb. 2025
Agencies that get federal dollars for transportation projects are also now forbidden from instituting any for of mask or vaccine mandate.

— Evan Simko-Bednarski, New York Daily News, 1 Feb. 2025