forbid

1 of 2

verb

for·​bid fər-ˈbid 

fȯr-

forbade fər-ˈbad  -ˈbād 

fȯr-

also forbad fər-ˈbad 

fȯr-

; forbidden fər-ˈbi-dᵊn 

fȯr-

; forbidding

transitive verb

1

: to proscribe (see proscribe sense 2) from or as if from the position of one in authority : command against

The law forbids stores to sell liquor to minors.

Her mother forbids her to go.

2

: to hinder or prevent as if by an effectual command

Space forbids further treatment here.

Modesty forbids telling what my part was in the affair.

forbidder noun

forbid

2 of 2

adjective

archaic

: accursed

… he shall live a man forbid.

—William Shakespeare

Synonyms of forbid

Verb

• prohibit
• ban
• outlaw

Choose the Right Synonym for forbid

forbid, prohibit, interdict, inhibit 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

prohibit suggests the issuing of laws, statutes, or regulations.

prohibited the sale of liquor

interdict implies prohibition by civil or ecclesiastical authority usually for a given time or a declared purpose.

practices interdicted by the church

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

Examples of forbid in a Sentence

Verb

I forbid you to go!

She was forbidden by her parents to marry him.

She was forbidden from marrying him.

The museum forbids flash photography.

The company's rules forbid dating among employees.

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

These instances violate a county law that forbids the use of county resources for campaigning. —Carlton Gillespie, Miami Herald, 5 Feb. 2026

Newsom signed another bill that forbids educators from being required to tell parents that their children have changed their names and pronouns. —Bret Stephens, Mercury News, 5 Feb. 2026

During an October 2025 interview with The Economist, for instance, Bannon suggested a plan exists for his former boss to defy the 22nd Amendment − which forbids a president from seeking a third term − after months of Trump making similar suggestions. —Phillip M. Bailey, USA Today, 4 Feb. 2026

Lawyers working on their behalf filed a petition for a writ of habeas corpus, an ancient judicial principle forbidding the government from holding anyone in custody without providing a legally tenable reason for doing so. —A.o. Scott, New York Times, 3 Feb. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Verb and Adjective

Middle English forbidden, from Old English forbēodan, from for- + bēodan to bid — more at bid entry 1

First Known Use

Verb

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

1606, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing forbid

• God/heaven forbid

Rhymes for forbid

• amid
• eyelid
• majid
• outbid
• outdid
• plasmid
• turbid
• undid
• bid
• did
• grid
• hid

Kids Definition

forbid

verb

for·​bid

fər-ˈbid, 

fȯr-

forbade

-ˈbad, 

-ˈbād

also forbad

-ˈbad

; forbidden

-ˈbid-ᵊn

; forbidding

: to order not to do or to be done or used

I forbid you to go

cameras are forbidden

forbidder noun