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 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 This was not a surprise; Mexico’s Constitution banned slavery, and so, too, did the California state Constitution. — Patt Morrison, Los Angeles Times, 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 Rosemont has banned installation of new electric vehicle charging stations in parking garages. — Christopher Placek, Chicago Tribune, 3 Nov. 2026 Products with synthetic cannabinoids — often found in gas stations and smoke shops — are banned effective November 12. — Sarah Owermohle, CNN Money, 3 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 Del Naja was one of hundreds of protesters arrested in London in April for holding a placard in support of the activist group Palestine Action, which is banned under UK terrorism law. — Jazz Monroe, Pitchfork, 28 Oct. 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

Supporters said racial profiling is already prohibited and that legal status is determined using standard identification and verification procedures, not subjective characteristics such as the color of someone's skin.

— Shaun Boyd, CBS News, 4 Nov. 2026
Under current data protection rules, airlines are prohibited from sharing passenger details with each other, meaning someone banned from a flight or airline can easily book with another carrier.

— The Week UK, TheWeek, 3 Nov. 2026

Definition of prohibited

Verb

The win offers hope to Americans who feel excluded from government and challenges the political force of rhetoric portraying Muslim faith and sharia as threats.

— Jacqueline GaNun, Los Angeles Times, 5 Nov. 2026
Three of the other cars — a Bentley Bentayga, Lamborghini Huracán and Rolls Royce Cullinan — were excluded from forfeiture because Delgado had stopped making payments on them.

— Silas Morgan, The Orlando Sentinel, 5 Nov. 2026

Definition of excluded

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

Eight years ago, Saudi women were barred from football stadiums.

— semafor.com, semafor.com, 23 Oct. 2026
Those who fail to scan the address verification QR code within seven days will see their account demoted to the free tier and be barred from joining any other Duo or Family plan for 12 months.

— Nick Indge, ArsTechnica, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of barred

Verb

He was born into enslavement in Edgefield District, South Carolina, bound by laws that forbade Black literacy.

— Tessa Solomon, ARTnews.com, 21 Oct. 2026
Reservoirs have already fallen perilously low -- with one lake so dry this year that a small town nearby let its Little League field go dry and temporarily forbade residents from washing cars or watering lawns.

— Hannah Knowles The Washington Post, Arkansas Online, 19 Oct. 2026

Definition of forbade

Verb

County officials reported a financial shortfall of more than $35 million this year and eliminated 150 positions in June to help balance the budget.

— Daniel Lempres, Sacbee.com, 4 Nov. 2026
And in April, the Mouse House eliminated about 1,000 roles, primarily as a result of D’Amaro’s formation of a consolidated enterprise marketing division under the leadership of Asad Ayaz, chief marketing and brand officer.

— Todd Spangler, Variety, 3 Nov. 2026

Definition of eliminated

Verb

His five runs prevented matched Durbin and Minnesota Twins infielder Brooks Lee among AL third basemen.

— Jaylon Thompson, Kansas City Star, 2 Nov. 2026
In September of 2025, a De’Von Achane sliver of a foot stepping out of bounds prevented the Dolphins from taking a late lead on the eventual AFC champions.

— Steve Svekis, Sun Sentinel, 1 Nov. 2026