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
George Gross, an expert on theology and the monarchy at King’s College London, highlighted the church’s continuing divergence from the Catholic Church, which forbids women from being ordained as priests, much less as serving as the religion’s global spiritual leader.
—
Danica Kirka, Los Angeles Times, 28 Jan. 2026
Zada believes that the power to keep AI outputs copyright clean lies in the hands of the prompter, meaning Secret Level forbids IP being cited in its text inputs.
—Jake Kanter, Deadline, 28 Jan. 2026
However the New York State Constitution happily and explicitly forbids such gamesmanship and amending the state Constitution can’t be done before this year’s midterms.
—New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 23 Jan. 2026
Another important provision forbids the use of official authority or influence to make anyone contribute to a campaign or political committee.
—Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 23 Jan. 2026
The Helms-Burton Act Congress passed in 1996 forbids recognizing a transitional government led by Raúl Castro but doesn’t say anything about other members of his family.
—Nora Gámez Torres, Miami Herald, 21 Jan. 2026
Office of Management and Budget policy prohibits executive branch officials from commenting on such releases early and in fact forbids public statements until 30 minutes after the release.
—Jeff Cox, CNBC, 9 Jan. 2026
Although the African Union’s framework specifically forbids coup leaders from standing in elections, there has been virtually no consequences for coupists consolidating their rule via elections in places like Chad and Gabon.
—Jonathan Powell, The Conversation, 15 Dec. 2025
Jonathan Gooch, communication director for Equality Texas, notes public universities are likely putting out these sorts of restrictions to stay in the good graces of lawmakers who fund the institution, but that no law forbids these subjects in Texas.
—Lexi Lonas Cochran, The Hill, 7 Dec. 2025
Danica Kirka, Los Angeles Times, 28 Jan. 2026
Zada believes that the power to keep AI outputs copyright clean lies in the hands of the prompter, meaning Secret Level forbids IP being cited in its text inputs.
—Jake Kanter, Deadline, 28 Jan. 2026
However the New York State Constitution happily and explicitly forbids such gamesmanship and amending the state Constitution can’t be done before this year’s midterms.
—New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 23 Jan. 2026
Another important provision forbids the use of official authority or influence to make anyone contribute to a campaign or political committee.
—Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 23 Jan. 2026
The Helms-Burton Act Congress passed in 1996 forbids recognizing a transitional government led by Raúl Castro but doesn’t say anything about other members of his family.
—Nora Gámez Torres, Miami Herald, 21 Jan. 2026
Office of Management and Budget policy prohibits executive branch officials from commenting on such releases early and in fact forbids public statements until 30 minutes after the release.
—Jeff Cox, CNBC, 9 Jan. 2026
Although the African Union’s framework specifically forbids coup leaders from standing in elections, there has been virtually no consequences for coupists consolidating their rule via elections in places like Chad and Gabon.
—Jonathan Powell, The Conversation, 15 Dec. 2025
Jonathan Gooch, communication director for Equality Texas, notes public universities are likely putting out these sorts of restrictions to stay in the good graces of lawmakers who fund the institution, but that no law forbids these subjects in Texas.
—Lexi Lonas Cochran, The Hill, 7 Dec. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for forbids
Verb
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The agency said a federal law prohibits patients from using Medicaid to pay for care at Planned Parenthood of Michigan.—
Paula Wethington,
CBS News,
22 Jan. 2026
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International humanitarian law prohibits killing, injuring or capturing an adversary through perfidy.—
Harmeet Kaur,
CNN Money,
21 Jan. 2026
Verb
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South Korea’s anti-graft law bans public officials and their spouses from receiving gifts valued at more than $750 in connection with their public duties.—
Jessie Yeung,
CNN Money,
28 Jan. 2026
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Supporters of the measure say the amendment would strengthen a law passed last year, which specifically bans eminent domain for carbon capture pipeline projects.—
Meghan O’Brien,
States Newsroom,
28 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Forbids.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/forbids. Accessed 29 Jan. 2026.
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