BANNED Synonyms: 168 Similar and Opposite Words

banned 1 of 2

adjective

as in prohibited

that may not be permitted at one time books, movies, and plays could use "banned in Boston" as a selling point

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banned

2 of 2

verb

past tense of ban

as in outlawed

to order not to do or use or to be done or used the company absolutely bans smoking within its buildings

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as in excluded

to prevent the participation, consideration, or inclusion of the university banned those caught in the cheating scandal from graduation ceremonies

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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 banned

Verb

In July 2025, the City Council banned the N-word and the sexist vulgarity known as the C-word during public comment. — Howard Blume, Los Angeles Times, 11 Nov. 2026 The post also addresses recent reports about a woman named Szilvia Berki, who in October 2015 is said to have received an injunction from Brand and Goldsmith that banned Berki from harassing them. — Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 10 Nov. 2026 Crabtree also banned him from working for a labor union or a retirement or health benefit plan regulated by the Employee Retirement Income Security Act for 13 years after his prison term. — Judy L. Thomas, Kansas City Star, 10 Nov. 2026 The sale of intoxicating hemp products, which have been legal but largely unregulated for the past eight years, is due to be banned in Illinois as of Thursday. — Chicago Tribune, 10 Nov. 2026 In 2022, following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the IIHF banned the country from participating in international tournaments, citing security, safety and competition integrity concerns. — Justin Birnbaum, Sportico.com, 4 Nov. 2026 Guccione banned him from the editing room and finished the film himself. — Kory Grow, Rolling Stone, 4 Nov. 2026 Styler remains banned from China to this day due to the film, which played a raft of festivals including the Berlinale and won an IDA award. — Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 4 Nov. 2026 Electioneering – seeking votes or engaging in any political discission – is banned within 100 feet of polling places, and Dominguez's campaign was accused of violating that rule. — CBS News, 3 Nov. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for banned

Adjective

Their alternating stories portray a Europe that exploits gifted children, while rigid class and gender expectations leave both protagonists struggling to pursue forbidden ambitions.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 13 Oct. 2026
As a forbidden attraction grows between the two men, tragedy unleashes supernatural forces upon their deeply religious community.

— Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 28 Sep. 2026

Definition of forbidden

Verb

The article reported that the city of Charlotte stifled Adams Outdoor previous requests and prohibited billboard companies from removing trees whose diameters were 4 inches or more.

— Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 12 Nov. 2026
Trailers are prohibited on the narrow, winding road to the campground, and while RVs are allowed, none of the sites have electrical or water hookups.

— Cu Fleshman, Travel + Leisure, 12 Nov. 2026

Definition of prohibited

Verb

His campaign told Fox News Digital that the conviction stemmed from displaying a sticker of the late Rabbi Meir Kahane, whose Kach party was outlawed in 1994, and reflected his support for a Jewish nationalist movement.

— Amelie Botbol, FOXNews.com, 25 Oct. 2026
Using the history of gay male desire in different time periods — dangerous, clandestine, outlawed and at long last fitfully accepted — the film examines legacy and what gets handed down across time.

— Mark Olsen, Los Angeles Times, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of outlawed

Verb

The judge also barred the administration from removing trees from the course without court approval.

— Joe Heim, Washington Post, 7 Nov. 2026
The Supreme Court barred executing people with intellectual disabilities in 2002, then left the states to define who qualifies, within limits.

— Tessa Solomon, ARTnews.com, 7 Nov. 2026

Definition of barred

Verb

Many of them, including Willett, Maust and Russell, had met at Biola University, a private evangelical Christian school outside Los Angeles that forbade drinking and smoking.

— Pamela Chelin, Los Angeles Times, 10 Nov. 2026
He was born into enslavement in Edgefield District, South Carolina, bound by laws that forbade Black literacy.

— Tessa Solomon, ARTnews.com, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of forbade

Verb

However, a change in California law eliminated criminal liability for murder and attempted murder for people convicted as aiders and abettors under the natural and probable consequences doctrine, prosecutors said.

— Richard Ramos, CBS News, 10 Nov. 2026
About $11 billion in unfunded liabilities has been eliminated since 2020 because of surplus alone.

— Keith M. Phaneuf, Hartford Courant, 10 Nov. 2026