Synonyms of ban

ban 1 of 2

verb

ˈban 

1

as in to prohibit

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

the company absolutely bans smoking within its buildings

Synonyms & Similar Words

• prohibit
• forbid
• outlaw
• discourage
• prevent
• halt
• stop
• bar
• proscribe
• enjoin
• exclude
• interdict
• restrain
• curb
• deter
• embargo
• preclude
• dissuade
• veto
• quash
• rule out
• block
• silence
• reject
• suppress
• disallow
• shut out
• repress
• quell
• deprive
• subdue
• hinder
• impede
• crack down (on)
• inhibit
• clamp down (on)
• put down
• check
• squelch
• crush
• squash
• debar
• repudiate
• obstruct
• snuff (out)
• rein (in)
• bridle

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• permit
• let
• allow
• approve
• suffer
• endorse
• authorize
• support
• sanction
• promote
• license
• encourage
• warrant
• forward
• advance
• order
• bid
• further
• cultivate
• tolerate
• command
• endure
• bear
• abide
• nurture
• abet
• nourish
• countenance
• brook

2

as in to exclude

to prevent the participation, consideration, or inclusion of

the university banned those caught in the cheating scandal from graduation ceremonies

Synonyms & Similar Words

• exclude
• prohibit
• eliminate
• prevent
• bar
• rule out
• shut out
• suspend
• debar
• freeze out
• banish
• count (out)
• expel
• except
• exile
• close out
• excommunicate
• blacklist
• close one's doors to
• ostracize
• preclude
• deport
• deter
• block
• hinder
• blackball
• impede
• obviate
• cease
• halt
• oust
• ward (off)
• obstruct
• discontinue
• check off
• weed (out)
• stave off
• throw out
• comb (out)
• disregard

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• include
• admit
• receive
• accept
• welcome
• entertain
• embrace
• take in
• unban

ban

2 of 2

noun

1

as in curse

a prayer that harm will come to someone

a father's ban upon his ungrateful son

Synonyms & Similar Words

• curse
• condemnation
• censure
• malediction
• anathema
• imprecation
• excommunication
• denunciation
• malison
• spell
• damnation
• winze
• execration
• jinx
• voodoo
• pox
• hoodoo
• whammy
• mojo
• hex

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• blessing
• benediction
• endorsement
• citation
• benison
• commendation

2

as in prohibition

an order that something not be done or used

a quiet seaside resort with a ban on the drinking of alcohol in public places

Synonyms & Similar Words

• prohibition
• embargo
• veto
• injunction
• warning
• restriction
• interdiction
• interdict
• proscription
• protest
• edict
• objection
• refusal
• taboo
• suppression
• prevention
• limitation
• deterrent
• mandate
• repression
• inhibition
• denial
• decree
• discouragement
• restraint
• no-no
• constraint
• rejection
• commandment
• disallowance
• negation
• caveat
• dictate

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• prescription
• sanction
• tolerance
• allowing
• permitting
• license
• permission
• consent
• licensing
• approval
• granting
• allowance
• authorization
• support
• letting
• clearance
• leave
• promotion
• endorsement
• toleration
• enabling
• agreement
• blessing
• sanctioning
• encouragement
• compliance
• sufferance
• submission
• approbation
• OK
• obedience
• facilitation
• imprimatur
• acquiescence
• accession
• assent

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of ban

Verb

A couple of years ago, as summer camps began to ban screens, a company called Camp Snap began to sell a screen-free camera that children could take along. — Alina Selyukh, NPR, 18 July 2026

Federal ethics rules ban employees from taking gifts from any entity that does business with, is regulated by or seeks official action from their agency. — ArsTechnica, 17 July 2026

Noun

His presence has been felt by his controversial phone call requesting a review of United States forward Folarin Balogun’s ban for the team’s round-of-16 game against Belgium. — Adam Crafton, New York Times, 20 July 2026

The person said the ban on a super league is actually not the conference’s top concern. — Burgess Everett, semafor.com, 20 July 2026