as in prohibits
to order not to do or use or to be done or used
smoking is forbidden throughout the building we forbid you to see him
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Recent Examples of forbids
New York’s Constitution forbids that and trying to change it for 2028 is pointless.
—
New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 3 May 2026
The use of the term caused alarm as international humanitarian law explicitly forbids armed forces from denying enemy combatants to surrender and instead killing them.
—Christopher Cann, USA Today, 30 Apr. 2026
Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act forbids discrimination by states in relation to voting rights and has been used for decades to challenge redistricting plans.
—Sam D. Hayes, The Conversation, 29 Apr. 2026
As recently as last week, Martinez declined to say whether anyone had been disciplined as a result of Patton’s death, citing state law that forbids the release of peace officer personnel files.
—Kelly Davis, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Apr. 2026
Washington’s Ethics in Public Service Act forbids state workers from holding financial or personal interests that conflict with the discharge of their official duties, and from exploiting their position for private gain.
—Daniel Libit, Sportico.com, 22 Apr. 2026
The ban also forbids the sale of cigarettes that aren’t in their original packaging.
—Adam Kovac, Scientific American, 22 Apr. 2026
Here are 8 books that reveal covert lives, truths that society forbids or shames, and an effusion of vibrant spirit.
—Literary Hub, 21 Apr. 2026
That is the very definition of viewpoint discrimination, something the First Amendment squarely forbids.
—Jeffrey S. Trimbath, Baltimore Sun, 20 Apr. 2026
New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 3 May 2026
The use of the term caused alarm as international humanitarian law explicitly forbids armed forces from denying enemy combatants to surrender and instead killing them.
—Christopher Cann, USA Today, 30 Apr. 2026
Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act forbids discrimination by states in relation to voting rights and has been used for decades to challenge redistricting plans.
—Sam D. Hayes, The Conversation, 29 Apr. 2026
As recently as last week, Martinez declined to say whether anyone had been disciplined as a result of Patton’s death, citing state law that forbids the release of peace officer personnel files.
—Kelly Davis, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Apr. 2026
Washington’s Ethics in Public Service Act forbids state workers from holding financial or personal interests that conflict with the discharge of their official duties, and from exploiting their position for private gain.
—Daniel Libit, Sportico.com, 22 Apr. 2026
The ban also forbids the sale of cigarettes that aren’t in their original packaging.
—Adam Kovac, Scientific American, 22 Apr. 2026
Here are 8 books that reveal covert lives, truths that society forbids or shames, and an effusion of vibrant spirit.
—Literary Hub, 21 Apr. 2026
That is the very definition of viewpoint discrimination, something the First Amendment squarely forbids.
—Jeffrey S. Trimbath, Baltimore Sun, 20 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for forbids
Verb
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The resolution was spearheaded by Ohio Senator Bernie Moreno and immediately prohibits senators and staff from the markets.—
William Earl,
Variety,
30 Apr. 2026
-
Federal law prohibits noncitizens from voting in federal elections.—
David Zahniser,
Los Angeles Times,
30 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The measure has some exceptions, such as undercover operations, SCUBA teams, bomb squads, and SWAT teams, but broadly bans masks.—
Christopher Keating,
Hartford Courant,
1 May 2026
-
In March, Sherrill signed three bills, including the Law Enforcement Officer Protection Act, which bans law enforcement officers, including ICE agents, from wearing masks in New Jersey.—
CBS New York Team,
CBS News,
29 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Forbids.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/forbids. Accessed 8 May. 2026.
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