Synonym Chooser

How does the verb forbid differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of forbid are inhibit, interdict, and prohibit. While all these words mean "to debar one from doing something or to order that something not be done," forbid implies that the order is from one in authority and that obedience is expected.

smoking is forbidden in the building

When would inhibit be a good substitute for forbid?

While in some cases nearly identical to forbid, inhibit implies restraints or restrictions that amount to prohibitions, not only by authority but also by the exigencies of the time or situation.

conditions inhibiting the growth of free trade

In what contexts can interdict take the place of forbid?

Although the words interdict and forbid have much in common, interdict implies prohibition by civil or ecclesiastical authority usually for a given time or a declared purpose.

practices interdicted by the church

When could prohibit be used to replace forbid?

While the synonyms prohibit and forbid are close in meaning, prohibit suggests the issuing of laws, statutes, or regulations.

prohibited the sale of liquor

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 forbid Since that permit was enacted, police costs have been subsidized by the downtown Community Redevelopment Agency – but state law forbids that as a permanent expense, Mayor Buddy Dyer said. Ryan Gillespie, The Orlando Sentinel, 19 May 2025 Heaven forbid the city should sign another three-year contract. Chicago Tribune, 17 May 2025 In her new ruling last month, Judge Rogers forbade Apple to collect any commissions through app sales made via external links. Brian X. Chen, New York Times, 15 May 2025 Personal items, books, and even letters from family are forbidden. Billal Rahman jesus Mesa, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for forbid
Recent Examples of Synonyms for forbid
Verb
  • The City Council is moving to amend the city’s backyard apartment rules to prohibit rare oversized projects and require infrastructure fees.
    Michael Smolens, San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 May 2025
  • Racially restrictive neighborhood covenants prohibiting Black or Jewish American buyers, for example, were pioneered in the 1940s by the celebrated local real estate developer J.C. Nichols.
    Alfredo Sosa, Christian Science Monitor, 18 May 2025
Verb
  • Braun signed an executive order in January banning DEI initiatives in state government.
    Jessica Guynn, USA Today, 16 May 2025
  • These ingested fluoride products are dispensed at safe doses by doctors and dentists to prevent tooth decay in children who are unable to get adequate fluoride doses from community water systems—something that may become more common as more states and cities remove or ban fluoride from their water.
    Beth Mole, ArsTechnica, 16 May 2025
Verb
  • The 1956 Federal-Aid Highway Act, passed just two years after Brown v. Board of Education outlawed segregation in public schools, laid the groundwork for the physical reshaping of American cities.
    Deborah N. Archer, Time, 21 May 2025
  • But in times of war or imminent military threat, government protects the rights of peaceful people by outlawing trade that aids and abets the threat of an aggressive foreign government.
    Ben Bayer, Oc Register, 19 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Forbid.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/forbid. Accessed 29 May. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on forbid

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