Synonym Chooser

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 Alcohol sales are prohibited in Tennessee on Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Easter. Jordan Green, The Tennessean, 4 July 2025 Attendants are prohibited from using force except in extreme cases, and one striking a patient under circumstances not actually necessary gets his or her immediate discharge. Michael Barnes, Austin American Statesman, 4 July 2025 Additionally, and glass containers are prohibited in the swim area. Tiffany Acosta, AZCentral.com, 4 July 2025 The injunction would likely bar California from enforcing residency requirements for CCW applications and allow non-California residents who are not otherwise prohibited from owning guns to apply for a CCW. Alex Riggins, San Diego Union-Tribune, 3 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for prohibit
Recent Examples of Synonyms for prohibit
Verb
  • It is completely verboten and forbidden to any human being.
    Pete Hammond, Deadline, 30 June 2025
  • Sweeping fiscal moves of this kind are traditionally restricted by the Byrd Rule, adopted in 1985, which limits the sort of policies that can be folded into bills passed through reconciliation, and forbids legislation from adding to the nation's deficit beyond 10 years.
    Hugh Cameron, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 June 2025
Verb
  • Kansas banned gender-affirming treatments for minors.
    The NPR Network, NPR, 1 July 2025
  • France banned the sale of cigarettes to minors under 18 in 2009.
    Lisa Klaassen, CNN Money, 1 July 2025
Verb
  • The Socialist Reich Party (SRP), a successor to the Nazi Party, was outlawed in 1952.
    Sophie Tanno, CNN Money, 6 July 2025
  • The United States outlawed ibogaine in 1967 along with other psychotropic drugs.
    Eduardo Cuevas, USA Today, 29 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Prohibit.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/prohibit. Accessed 12 Jul. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on prohibit

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