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
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 forbids
The Big 12 also has its own sports betting policy that forbids coaches, staff and athletes from engaging in sports wagering activity that undermines the integrity of games.
—
Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 15 June 2026
Lopez stars in the new movie as Jackie Cruz, the tough-as-nails CEO of an airline company who runs her business by the book, which includes maintaining a strict policy that forbids employees from having romantic relationships.
—Britt Hayes, Entertainment Weekly, 12 June 2026
Meanwhile, Minneapolis forbids officers from using chemical munitions for crowd control unless authorized by the police chief — even when officers fear they will be physically harmed.
—ProPublica, 10 June 2026
The Indian government forbids outsiders from most contact with the tribe because their bodies aren't immune to modern day diseases.
—Omkar Khandekar, NPR, 7 June 2026
Elordi’s Nate, a controlling alpha engaged to Sydney Sweeney’s hyperfemme Cassie, forbids his wife to work outside their retro suburban home, stranding her amid shag carpeting and yellow wallpaper.
—Judy Berman, Time, 27 May 2026
The bill forbids the forming of a superleague (aka the SEC and Big Ten joining forces).
—Trey Wallace Outkick, FOXNews.com, 27 May 2026
Andersen notes that while this level of mixed use is essential for sustainability, it is constantly challenged by outdated legislation that often forbids such mixing.
—Christopher Elliott, Forbes.com, 24 May 2026
The Fair Housing Act forbids exclusionary practices, such as housing designated for a particular group, putting federal funds out of reach for LGBTQ-specific housing.
—Jessica Blough, CNN Money, 22 May 2026
Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 15 June 2026
Lopez stars in the new movie as Jackie Cruz, the tough-as-nails CEO of an airline company who runs her business by the book, which includes maintaining a strict policy that forbids employees from having romantic relationships.
—Britt Hayes, Entertainment Weekly, 12 June 2026
Meanwhile, Minneapolis forbids officers from using chemical munitions for crowd control unless authorized by the police chief — even when officers fear they will be physically harmed.
—ProPublica, 10 June 2026
The Indian government forbids outsiders from most contact with the tribe because their bodies aren't immune to modern day diseases.
—Omkar Khandekar, NPR, 7 June 2026
Elordi’s Nate, a controlling alpha engaged to Sydney Sweeney’s hyperfemme Cassie, forbids his wife to work outside their retro suburban home, stranding her amid shag carpeting and yellow wallpaper.
—Judy Berman, Time, 27 May 2026
The bill forbids the forming of a superleague (aka the SEC and Big Ten joining forces).
—Trey Wallace Outkick, FOXNews.com, 27 May 2026
Andersen notes that while this level of mixed use is essential for sustainability, it is constantly challenged by outdated legislation that often forbids such mixing.
—Christopher Elliott, Forbes.com, 24 May 2026
The Fair Housing Act forbids exclusionary practices, such as housing designated for a particular group, putting federal funds out of reach for LGBTQ-specific housing.
—Jessica Blough, CNN Money, 22 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for forbids
Verb
-
The Federal Aviation Administration prohibits all aircraft operations, including drone flights, within a 3-nautical-mile radius and up to 3,000 feet above ground level around certain stadiums hosting World Cup matches.—
Richard Winton,
Los Angeles Times,
18 June 2026
-
The ban prohibits any item that could obstruct lifeguard views, overcrowd the beach, create tripping hazards, or hinder emergency responders.—
Olivia Young,
Travel + Leisure,
18 June 2026
Verb
-
Defence company representatives at the Ukrainian embassy event said that the Ukrainian government bans the use of AI in the final stage of target interception, according to New Scientist.—
Jeremy Hsu,
ArsTechnica,
12 June 2026
-
Further, the rule bans any collaboration with foreign researchers and stops all federal funding to publish scientific results for public transparency.—
Kelly Fleming,
Forbes.com,
11 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Forbids.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/forbids. Accessed 23 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
