debar

verb

di-ˈbär How to pronounce debar (audio)
Definition of debarnext
as in to exclude
to prevent the participation, consideration, or inclusion of the judge debarred all of the reporters from the courtroom

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

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 debar In May 2024, the city debarred Makai Solutions from doing business with all departments for three years after the company failed to appear at a hearing. — Teresa Liu, Daily News, 3 Apr. 2026 If Chiu succeeds in debarring Collective Impact, the nonprofit would have to end its summer and after-school programs and close the doors of its three-decade-old Ella Hill Hutch Community Center, its attorneys Lauren Kramer Sujeeth and Si Eun Amber Lee wrote. — Michael Barba, San Francisco Chronicle, 12 Aug. 2025 The city announced in a news release that CJR Construction Group of Raytown has been debarred for two years, meaning the company cannot receive city contracts during that time. — Chris Higgins, Kansas City Star, 8 Aug. 2025 Courts have rejected that theory in cases defunding and debarring ACORN and a Russian cybersecurity firm from federal work. — The Editors, National Review, 9 July 2025 In 2018, the feds debarred Larralde, Georgiou and two other family members for three years from the H-2A program. — Sam Tabachnik, The Denver Post, 1 Sep. 2024
Recent Examples of Synonyms for debar
  1. exclude
  2. ban
  3. prevent
  4. eliminate
  5. prohibit
Verb
  • In the years leading up to the trial, Matar's lawyers tried unsuccessfully to exclude some evidence from his social media accounts and other digital activity, arguing that the government's electronic searches cast too big a net.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 22 July 2026
  • What if Penelope’s waiting is her own form of aggression, a way of holding a space, for as long as possible, that excludes the men and their own attempts at power?
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 21 July 2026
Definition of exclude
Verb
  • Printers not on the list would be banned from sale or transfer in California beginning in December 2029.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 19 July 2026
  • Nearly three years ago the city effectively banned home sharing.
    — Nathan Blecharczyk, New York Daily News, 19 July 2026
Definition of ban
Verb
  • The statement did not address questions about Northwood Ravin’s verbal agreement with Cherry, whether parking is a recurring issue with other projects across the city or how the developer can prevent similar problems in the future.
    — Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 23 July 2026
  • Concerned that the programs’ growing sophistication could induce emotional dependency and addiction, China last week banned minors from using AI companions and imposed additional requirements on platforms to prevent misuse.
    — Stephanie Yang, CNN Money, 23 July 2026
Definition of prevent
Verb
  • The declaration appeared to eliminate the possibility of a future electoral challenge as Ortega and Murillo continue consolidating control over the country’s political institutions.
    — Landon Mion, FOXNews.com, 21 July 2026
  • For many, this new-build option upholds preferential aesthetics while satisfying practical needs and eliminating restoration headaches.
    — Katherine McLaughlin, Architectural Digest, 20 July 2026
Definition of eliminate
Verb
  • The supreme courts of Michigan, Ohio and Oklahoma have all prohibited seizing private property to give it to another private party purely for economic development.
    — Aaron Walayat, The Conversation, 16 July 2026
  • The Alabama-Coushatta and Tigua tribes are also covered by the Texas Restoration Act, a federal law that restored federal recognition to both tribes in 1987 and said gambling prohibited under Texas law would also be prohibited on their reservations.
    — Tiffani Jackson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 16 July 2026
Definition of prohibit

Browse Nearby Words

debacles
debar
debark
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Debar.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/debar. Accessed 23 Jul. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on debar

Nglish: Translation of debar for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of maverick

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Democracy or Republic: What's the difference?

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Do you 'say your piece' or 'say your peace'?

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

The Longest Long Words List

Ten Words Ending with a Silent ‘T’

The Words of the Week - Jul 24

Why do we say 'fly off the handle'?
See More

Popular

See More

Democracy or Republic: What's the difference?

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

The Longest Long Words List
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
thumbnail graphic with text word of the day quiz
Weekly "Word of the Day" Quiz See how well you know each Word of the Day for Ju...
See All