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
Unlike the case of Messi in MLS, the NFL forbids teams from offering equity to players as a component of compensation.
—
Dan Sheldon, New York Times, 6 Apr. 2026
Chicago’s Welcoming City Ordinance, updated in 2012 as part of the city’s municipal code, largely forbids Chicago police from cooperating with federal immigration agencies in deportation proceedings.
—Sam Charles, Chicago Tribune, 3 Apr. 2026
For example, the National Voter Registration Act forbids states from removing people from the voter rolls in certain instances without first providing notice and waiting two federal election cycles – a timeline well beyond 45 days.
—John J. Martin, The Conversation, 1 Apr. 2026
The theater actors and stage managers union, Actors' Equity Association, forbids its members from performing in non-Equity productions.
—Joseph Konig, PEOPLE, 1 Apr. 2026
Nothing in the Rooney Rule forbids teams from offering the same kind of development options to every promising candidate.
—Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 30 Mar. 2026
There is nothing in the Rooney Rule that forbids NFL teams from offering the same kind of development options to every promising candidate, including males and Caucasians.
—Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board, The Orlando Sentinel, 29 Mar. 2026
While no formal rule of etiquette forbids lying to one’s friends and loved ones, the Bible has something to say about it.
—Jeanne Phillips, Mercury News, 28 Mar. 2026
International law forbids attacks on important historical sites like the temple, but Thailand has argued that Cambodia militarized the temple by installing weapons systems, storing ammunition, and using the site as a base for surveillance equipment, voiding its wartime protection.
—ABC News, 23 Mar. 2026
Dan Sheldon, New York Times, 6 Apr. 2026
Chicago’s Welcoming City Ordinance, updated in 2012 as part of the city’s municipal code, largely forbids Chicago police from cooperating with federal immigration agencies in deportation proceedings.
—Sam Charles, Chicago Tribune, 3 Apr. 2026
For example, the National Voter Registration Act forbids states from removing people from the voter rolls in certain instances without first providing notice and waiting two federal election cycles – a timeline well beyond 45 days.
—John J. Martin, The Conversation, 1 Apr. 2026
The theater actors and stage managers union, Actors' Equity Association, forbids its members from performing in non-Equity productions.
—Joseph Konig, PEOPLE, 1 Apr. 2026
Nothing in the Rooney Rule forbids teams from offering the same kind of development options to every promising candidate.
—Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 30 Mar. 2026
There is nothing in the Rooney Rule that forbids NFL teams from offering the same kind of development options to every promising candidate, including males and Caucasians.
—Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board, The Orlando Sentinel, 29 Mar. 2026
While no formal rule of etiquette forbids lying to one’s friends and loved ones, the Bible has something to say about it.
—Jeanne Phillips, Mercury News, 28 Mar. 2026
International law forbids attacks on important historical sites like the temple, but Thailand has argued that Cambodia militarized the temple by installing weapons systems, storing ammunition, and using the site as a base for surveillance equipment, voiding its wartime protection.
—ABC News, 23 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for forbids
Verb
-
The bill prohibits agencies, including the police, from sharing sensitive information with federal immigration enforcement agents.—
Evangeline Chan,
New York Daily News,
8 Apr. 2026
-
These are two distinct legal collection mechanisms, and nothing in federal law prohibits a creditor from using both at once.—
Angelica Leicht,
CBS News,
8 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The law bans the enforcement of foreign or religious law — particularly Sharia Law, the Islamic code.—
Bri Buckley,
CBS News,
8 Apr. 2026
-
The study found no effect on the rate of suicides, but showed higher rates of homicides and gun homicides in places where Sunday bans on alcohol sales has been repealed.—
Eric Adler,
Kansas City Star,
8 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Forbids.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/forbids. Accessed 10 Apr. 2026.
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