Synonym Chooser

How does the verb prohibit differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of prohibit are forbid, inhibit, and interdict. While all these words mean "to debar one from doing something or to order that something not be done," prohibit suggests the issuing of laws, statutes, or regulations.

prohibited the sale of liquor

When can forbid be used instead of prohibit?

In some situations, the words forbid and prohibit are roughly equivalent. However, forbid implies that the order is from one in authority and that obedience is expected.

smoking is forbidden in the building

When is it sensible to use inhibit instead of prohibit?

The synonyms inhibit and prohibit are sometimes interchangeable, but inhibit implies restraints or restrictions that amount to prohibitions, not only by authority but also by the exigencies of the time or situation.

conditions inhibiting the growth of free trade

When could interdict be used to replace prohibit?

While the synonyms interdict and prohibit are close in meaning, interdict implies prohibition by civil or ecclesiastical authority usually for a given time or a declared purpose.

practices interdicted by the church

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 prohibit The venue also prohibits backpacks, professional cameras with detachable lenses, selfie sticks, noisemakers, weapons, aerosol cans, cigarettes, vapes, and lighters. Bethany Wales, Sacbee.com, 23 June 2025 The new law, House Bill 1041, follows a 2022 law that prohibits transgender girls from participating in K-12 sports. Barnini Chakraborty, The Washington Examiner, 22 June 2025 Earlier this month, President Trump issued an executive order that prohibits the state department from issuing visas to any individuals from Afghanistan, Burma, Chad, Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan and Yemen, with only a few exceptions. Emma Whitford, Forbes.com, 21 June 2025 Short-term rental properties are also heavily regulated or outright prohibited elsewhere in Jackson County, according to the Mid-America Regional Council. Ilana Arougheti, Kansas City Star, 21 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for prohibit
Recent Examples of Synonyms for prohibit
Verb
  • New York State law prohibits fully autonomous operation without a human driver in the car, thus forbidding the kind of driverless service Waymo provides in San Francisco and elsewhere.
    Evan Simko-Bednarski, New York Daily News, 18 June 2025
  • Illinois has long been a leader in privacy legislation, and its Biometric Information Privacy Act forbids the sale or exploitation of biometric data.
    The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 16 June 2025
Verb
  • Trump has taken action against the LGBTQ+ community in many ways, like signing an executive order stating that the U.S. only recognizes two genders, a transgender servicemember military ban, and banning transgender athletes from collegiate sports.
    Alexandra Kukulka, Chicago Tribune, 21 June 2025
  • The Del Mar ordinance will also ban sidewalk riding in business areas, in addition to the Powerhouse Park area.
    Luke Harold, San Diego Union-Tribune, 20 June 2025
Verb
  • In theory, this outlawed the Communist Party of the United States and banned communists from serving in certain roles.
    James Bickerton, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 June 2025
  • Louisiana followed suit, outlawing redfish harvest in state waters, which includes the marsh.
    Boyce Upholt, Smithsonian Magazine, 25 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Prohibit.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/prohibit. Accessed 2 Jul. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on prohibit

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