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 Ohio is one of only six states that prohibit high school athletes from signing NIL deals. Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 21 Oct. 2025 That means for now, hunting over bait remains prohibited across Tennessee. Austin Hornbostel, Nashville Tennessean, 21 Oct. 2025 Part of the Arlington team’s training also included being able to recognize patients with religious beliefs that prohibit receiving blood transfusions, like Jehovah’s Witnesses, said EMS lieutenant Jason Adams. Ciara McCarthy, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 20 Oct. 2025 The law prohibits the circumvention of security measures used online by a ticket issuer. Ted Johnson, Deadline, 20 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for prohibit
Recent Examples of Synonyms for prohibit
Verb
  • Meanwhile, Beijing forbids any export of gold without a special license, spurring analysts to conclude that the official figure of 2,530 tons held by the People’s Bank of China is farcically low.
    Charlie Campbell, Time, 15 Oct. 2025
  • During his testimony, Navarro claimed that women were restricted to certain rooms in the home and forbidden from moving freely.
    Amber Corrine, VIBE.com, 14 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Trump has issued orders seeking to ban the use of mail ballots or at least the counting of those cast by Election Day but received afterward — a common practice in both Democratic and Republican states.
    Michael Smolens, San Diego Union-Tribune, 19 Oct. 2025
  • The tush push has been a constant story this season after the play fell just short of receiving the necessary votes in the offseason to ban it.
    Saad Yousuf, New York Times, 19 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Courts undid Nixon’s actions, and Congress eventually passed the Impoundment Control Act of 1974, which outlawed the maneuver, leaving only narrow exceptions — rescissions — that required congressional sign-off.
    Andy Kroll, ProPublica, 18 Oct. 2025
  • Courts undid Nixon’s actions, and Congress eventually passed the Impoundment Control Act of 1974, which outlawed the maneuver, leaving only narrow exceptions—rescissions—that required congressional sign-off.
    Andy Kroll, New Yorker, 17 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Prohibit.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/prohibit. Accessed 23 Oct. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on prohibit

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