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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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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 Before the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, track and field, swimming and cycling had adopted policies that effectively prohibited trans athletes who had undergone male puberty from participating in female competition. —

Paulina Dedaj, FOXNews.com, 28 Mar. 2026 All e-bikes are prohibited on singletrack in most of our national forests, but BLM units are allowed to make regulations on a case-by-case basis. —

Graham Averill, Outside, 28 Mar. 2026 As of April 18, 2026, a total of 11 states will ban the use of credit checks in employment decisions as New York joins 10 other states and several jurisdictions, including Philadelphia and Chicago, that prohibit the practice, with some exceptions. —

Kamaron McNair, CNBC, 28 Mar. 2026 The legislation would prohibit agencies from using the surveillance technology for immigration investigations and enforcement, and from collecting data around certain health care facilities. —

Jess Reia, The Conversation, 27 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for prohibit

Recent Examples of Synonyms for prohibit

Verb

On a campy and subversive new album featuring Bladee, the Ukrainian black metal artist aspires to make the notoriously forbidding genre a little warmer.

— Sadie Sartini Garner, Pitchfork, 31 Mar. 2026
The first, urging Congress to approve the Equal Rights Amendment, the second, demanding that the Park Ridge City Council forbid ICE from using city property, and the third, demanding that the D 64 Elementary School District forbid ICE from using school property.

— Gina Grillo, Chicago Tribune, 30 Mar. 2026