1
as in prohibits
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 excludes
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 curses
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 prohibitions
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 bans
Karlyn Bowman, Forbes.com, 8 Sep. 2025
While the state’s recent order bans 7-OH from shelves, other derivatives of kratom could be made without 7-OH.
—Miami Herald, 8 Sep. 2025
Currently, city code bans people from keeping dangerous animals, bees or farm animals within city limits, but special permission can be given to things like pony rides and petting zoos.
—R. Christian Smith, Chicago Tribune, 4 Sep. 2025
The law approved Tuesday bans the selling of any kratom product to people under 21 and says businesses can’t sell any product that have more than 2% of 7-OH.
—Michael Slaten, Oc Register, 29 Aug. 2025
Additionally, Abbott signed Senate Bill 314, barring certain additives from meals provided through free and reduced breakfast and lunch programs, and Senate Bill 379, which bans the purchase of sugary snacks and drinks, such as soda, with SNAP benefits.
—Eleanor Dearman, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 28 Aug. 2025
Israel bans medical personnel from taking in anything but personal medication or supplies and allows only a small amount of cash, according to medical groups.
—Jane Arraf, NPR, 28 Aug. 2025
Davidson bans signs from town hall Davidson said in the news release that disruptions and signs will be prohibited from the town hall and there will be police there.
—Erin Glynn, The Enquirer, 26 Aug. 2025
The ruling spares Trump from a potential half-billion-dollar fine but bans him and his two eldest sons from serving in corporate leadership for a few years.
—Nino Paoli, Fortune, 21 Aug. 2025
Grace Byron, New Yorker, 8 Sep. 2025
Some private businesses are placing bans on the devices altogether.
—Taylor O'Connor, Kansas City Star, 8 Sep. 2025
Several communities agreed to implement total bans on location sharing.
—Ross Andersen, The Atlantic, 7 Sep. 2025
A student at the center of high-profile Supreme Court challenges to bans on transgender athletes on female sports teams wants the court to drop her case.
—Maureen Groppe, USA Today, 6 Sep. 2025
However, there’s precedent that DEI bans could prevent this type of outreach.
—Eric Wood, Forbes.com, 6 Sep. 2025
The walkouts were part of a coordinated effort to demand bans on assault weapons and high-capacity magazines.
—Imani Cruzen, Twin Cities, 6 Sep. 2025
Minnesota Gun Owners Caucus chairman Bryan Strawser told the Washington Examiner that tens of thousands of AR-style rifles and accessories are already lawfully owned in Minnesota, and state-level bans on these items would likely not survive legal challenges.
—Mia Cathell, The Washington Examiner, 4 Sep. 2025
This story talks about the younger Elite anglers being ready to silence the critics now that FFS won’t be in play during some of these events, while this story discusses how Elite series veterans that have been begging for FFS bans for years will finally have their moment of reckoning.
—Derek Horner, Outdoor Life, 3 Sep. 2025
Verb
Ninety percent of Republican and 52% of Democrats approved the Supreme Court’s decision to uphold a Tennessee law that bans transgender treatment for youths under 18.
—Karlyn Bowman, Forbes.com, 8 Sep. 2025
While the state’s recent order bans 7-OH from shelves, other derivatives of kratom could be made without 7-OH.
—Miami Herald, 8 Sep. 2025
Currently, city code bans people from keeping dangerous animals, bees or farm animals within city limits, but special permission can be given to things like pony rides and petting zoos.
—R. Christian Smith, Chicago Tribune, 4 Sep. 2025
The law approved Tuesday bans the selling of any kratom product to people under 21 and says businesses can’t sell any product that have more than 2% of 7-OH.
—Michael Slaten, Oc Register, 29 Aug. 2025
Additionally, Abbott signed Senate Bill 314, barring certain additives from meals provided through free and reduced breakfast and lunch programs, and Senate Bill 379, which bans the purchase of sugary snacks and drinks, such as soda, with SNAP benefits.
—Eleanor Dearman, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 28 Aug. 2025
Israel bans medical personnel from taking in anything but personal medication or supplies and allows only a small amount of cash, according to medical groups.
—Jane Arraf, NPR, 28 Aug. 2025
Davidson bans signs from town hall Davidson said in the news release that disruptions and signs will be prohibited from the town hall and there will be police there.
—Erin Glynn, The Enquirer, 26 Aug. 2025
The ruling spares Trump from a potential half-billion-dollar fine but bans him and his two eldest sons from serving in corporate leadership for a few years.
—Nino Paoli, Fortune, 21 Aug. 2025
Noun
Book bans are targeting trans authors in conservative states, eradicating their work from curricula and library circulation.
—Grace Byron, New Yorker, 8 Sep. 2025
Some private businesses are placing bans on the devices altogether.
—Taylor O'Connor, Kansas City Star, 8 Sep. 2025
Several communities agreed to implement total bans on location sharing.
—Ross Andersen, The Atlantic, 7 Sep. 2025
A student at the center of high-profile Supreme Court challenges to bans on transgender athletes on female sports teams wants the court to drop her case.
—Maureen Groppe, USA Today, 6 Sep. 2025
However, there’s precedent that DEI bans could prevent this type of outreach.
—Eric Wood, Forbes.com, 6 Sep. 2025
The walkouts were part of a coordinated effort to demand bans on assault weapons and high-capacity magazines.
—Imani Cruzen, Twin Cities, 6 Sep. 2025
Minnesota Gun Owners Caucus chairman Bryan Strawser told the Washington Examiner that tens of thousands of AR-style rifles and accessories are already lawfully owned in Minnesota, and state-level bans on these items would likely not survive legal challenges.
—Mia Cathell, The Washington Examiner, 4 Sep. 2025
This story talks about the younger Elite anglers being ready to silence the critics now that FFS won’t be in play during some of these events, while this story discusses how Elite series veterans that have been begging for FFS bans for years will finally have their moment of reckoning.
—Derek Horner, Outdoor Life, 3 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bans
Verb
-
The platform also prohibits violent threats, incitement to violence or promotion of criminal activity.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
13 Sep. 2025
-
The lawsuit, filed in Cole County Circuit Court, argues that the Missouri Constitution prohibits lawmakers from redrawing congressional districts more than once a decade.—
Kacen Bayless,
Kansas City Star,
12 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Economists expected that a core measurement of PPI that excludes food and energy would slightly increase on an annual basis.—
Alicia Wallace,
CNN Money,
10 Sep. 2025
-
This generally applies to the think tanks and generally excludes media sites like the Wall Street Journal, New York Times, Washington Post, Bloomberg and Reuters, all of which are listed at the end.—
Ken Roberts,
Forbes.com,
9 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
As rocks and curses flew from the street, bullets spat from the middle window on the south side of the house.—
Neal Rubin,
Freep.com,
6 Sep. 2025
-
Seth was given the job to create a list of curses and a list of clean words that Steve could shout.—
Ryan Gajewski,
HollywoodReporter,
25 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
Then-Florida Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried and medical-marijuana patients filed the lawsuit in 2022 challenging the prohibitions.—
Dara Kam,
Sun Sentinel,
20 Aug. 2025
-
Annabel Rothschild, an assistant professor of computer science at Bard College, said she’s found that blanket rules and prohibitions have been less effective than a personal address and appeal to social responsibility.—
Ian Bogost,
The Atlantic,
17 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
To that end, Article XIII forbids teams from signing side deals with players, such as paying a player to serve as a scout, business partner, endorser or some other position.—
Michael McCann,
Sportico.com,
5 Sep. 2025
-
Civil servants must abide by the Hatch Act, which forbids some kinds of political activities, like hosting fundraisers – rules meant to shield them from political pressure and keep promotions merit-based.—
Yvonne Zylan,
The Conversation,
4 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
And in some places, state law explicitly bars charging any fee for serving the order.—
Nushrat Rahman,
Freep.com,
9 Sep. 2025
-
The act, passed by City Council in 2014, bars police and other agencies from working with federal agencies regarding immigration detainers.—
Flint McColgan,
Boston Herald,
7 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Texas passed an artificial intelligence law in June that similarly outlaws the collection of biometric data without permission.—
Bobby Allyn,
NPR,
28 Aug. 2025
-
But that route may no longer be open to them because of a crucial win by the Biden-era Justice Department against Alphabet last year, one where a federal judge deemed Alphabet and its search-engine business violated Section 2 of the Sherman Antitrust Act, which outlaws monopolies.—
Jim Cramer,
CNBC,
10 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
While employees may experiment with AI individually, the absence of structured guidance prevents cohesive adoption that aligns with organizational goals.—
Malana VanTyler,
USA Today,
11 Sep. 2025
-
What keeps them returning isn’t the novelty of wellness, but the consistency of having a system that prevents burnout and sustains performance.—
Irina Logman,
Forbes.com,
10 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Bans.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bans. Accessed 15 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share