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
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
Korobkin said there’s nothing that legally forbids SoFi Stadium from engaging UCLA in discussions about a potential move.
—Los Angeles Times, 19 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
Last month, he was sentenced to 140 days in jail after a jury convicted him of 10 counts of violating a restraining order that forbids him from visiting her home.
—Paul Sisson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Dec. 2025
Proposition 8, backed by 72 percent of voters, forbids the state from imposing inheritance taxes and from taxing an estate or inheritance when they are transferred.
—Giulia Carbonaro, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Dec. 2025
The law of armed conflict forbids targeting an enemy combatant who’s out of the fight due to injury or surrender.
—Brian Niemietz, Mercury News, 3 Dec. 2025
Nora Gámez Torres, Miami Herald, 21 Jan. 2026
Korobkin said there’s nothing that legally forbids SoFi Stadium from engaging UCLA in discussions about a potential move.
—Los Angeles Times, 19 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
Last month, he was sentenced to 140 days in jail after a jury convicted him of 10 counts of violating a restraining order that forbids him from visiting her home.
—Paul Sisson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Dec. 2025
Proposition 8, backed by 72 percent of voters, forbids the state from imposing inheritance taxes and from taxing an estate or inheritance when they are transferred.
—Giulia Carbonaro, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Dec. 2025
The law of armed conflict forbids targeting an enemy combatant who’s out of the fight due to injury or surrender.
—Brian Niemietz, Mercury News, 3 Dec. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for forbids
Verb
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Resolution 2476-2026 — sponsored by Ward 5 Commissioner Laura Cavender — prohibits township law enforcement officers and resources from participating in the enforcement of non-criminal federal immigration violations.—
Eva Andersen,
CBS News,
15 Jan. 2026
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Senate Bill 267, which took effect in January 2024, prohibits landlords from rejecting Section 8 tenants based solely on their credit history.—
Robin Urevich,
USA Today,
15 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Altschiller noted that the beach already bans pets, drones, alcohol and tackle football, among other activities and items.—
Neal Riley,
CBS News,
20 Jan. 2026
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And in Oregon, HB 3187 bans inquiries into age, date of birth, and education dates prior to an interview or conditional offer, aligning with broader efforts to limit early-stage screening questions that can lead to bias.—
Alonzo Martinez,
Forbes.com,
16 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Forbids.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/forbids. Accessed 22 Jan. 2026.
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