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
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in curse
a prayer that harm will come to someone
a father's ban upon his ungrateful son
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 ban
Chris Schalkx, Condé Nast Traveler, 12 Jan. 2026
Last week, China banned exports of dual-use items with both civilian and military applications to Japan, a category that includes some critical minerals.
—Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 12 Jan. 2026
Kevin Williams, CNBC, 10 Jan. 2026
This history suggests that clear bans in law and policy on questionable tactics have the potential to save lives, while also strengthening the means for holding officers accountable.
—Ben Jones, Fortune, 9 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for ban
Verb
Plastic is a dirty word here, and the resort has virtually banned it throughout.
—Chris Schalkx, Condé Nast Traveler, 12 Jan. 2026
Last week, China banned exports of dual-use items with both civilian and military applications to Japan, a category that includes some critical minerals.
—Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 12 Jan. 2026
Noun
The growing pace of crypto ATM fraud has some policymakers pursuing bans and others asking why the nation is blanketed in these machines in the first place.
—Kevin Williams, CNBC, 10 Jan. 2026
This history suggests that clear bans in law and policy on questionable tactics have the potential to save lives, while also strengthening the means for holding officers accountable.
—Ben Jones, Fortune, 9 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for ban
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ban
Verb
-
The letter cited Boise City Code, which prohibits selling or advertising unlimited alcoholic drinks for a single price.—
Rose Evans,
Idaho Statesman,
8 Jan. 2026
-
Therefore, all interaction and communication between contestants are prohibited.—
Skyler Caruso,
PEOPLE,
7 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The temporary restraining order issued Monday states that — for the time being — Davis cannot remove Wilcox from the primary ballot, alter her status as a candidate or notify the Texas Secretary of State’s office that Wilcox is ineligible or should be excluded from the ballot.—
Eleanor Dearman,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
13 Jan. 2026
-
Territories annexed to other countries are excluded.—
Maureen O'Hare,
CNN Money,
13 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
In part, this is just a curse of timing for the tournaments being played.—
The Athletic Tennis Staff,
New York Times,
5 Jan. 2026
-
In Jujutsu Kaisen, heroic jujutsu sorcerers wage war against demonic creatures called curses and the curse users, who wield jujutsu powers for evil.—
Eric Vilas-Boas,
Vulture,
1 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Mobility devices used by people with physical limitations, however, are exempt from any prohibition in Burleson parks.—
Matthew Adams,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
12 Jan. 2026
-
Thirty years after prohibition, Marilyn Monroe proved that flappers would always be cool.—
Kevin Huynh,
InStyle,
10 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Grok’s terms of use specifically forbid the sexualization or exploitation of children.—
David Ingram,
NBC news,
8 Jan. 2026
-
In June 2023, Scott-Miller opened her brick-and-mortar bookstore, Liberation Station, in the downtown section of Raleigh, North Carolina—an intentional selection, because Black people were once forbidden from checking out books in the area’s library.—
Essence,
Essence,
7 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
This design concept predates the work triangle, and the presence of an additional kitchen space influences the functionality and design of the main kitchen, potentially eliminating the traditional triangle.—
Kristina McGuirk,
Better Homes & Gardens,
10 Jan. 2026
-
And as technology has evolved, proposals for interstellar spacecraft have become more miniaturized and automated, eliminating much of the need for human oversight (and even astronauts to pilot them).—
Matthew S Williams,
Interesting Engineering,
10 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
The shooting inflamed tensions a day after an Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent fatally shot a woman in Minneapolis, prompting protests and condemnation from state and city officials there.—
Lex Harvey,
CNN Money,
9 Jan. 2026
-
Elon Musk’s xAI has restricted its AI chatbot Grok’s image generation capabilities to paying subscribers only, following widespread condemnation over its use to create non-consensual sexualized images of real women and children.—
Beatrice Nolan,
Fortune,
9 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Some towns outlawed flashing signs years ago in an attempt to modernize their codes and their cities’ appearances.—
Noelle Phillips,
Denver Post,
11 Jan. 2026
-
Many other cities, states, and countries have outlawed the practice, according to the bill analysis.—
Center Square,
The Washington Examiner,
3 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Ban.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ban. Accessed 13 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share