prohibit

verb

pro·​hib·​it prō-ˈhi-bət 

prə-

prohibited; prohibiting; prohibits

transitive verb

1

: to forbid by authority : enjoin

2

a

: to prevent from doing something

b

: preclude

Synonyms

• ban
• bar
• enjoin
• forbid
• interdict
• outlaw
• proscribe

Choose the Right Synonym for prohibit

forbid, prohibit, interdict, inhibit mean to debar one from doing something or to order that something not be done.

forbid implies that the order is from one in authority and that obedience is expected.

smoking is forbidden in the building

prohibit suggests the issuing of laws, statutes, or regulations.

prohibited the sale of liquor

interdict implies prohibition by civil or ecclesiastical authority usually for a given time or a declared purpose.

practices interdicted by the church

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

Examples of prohibit in a Sentence

The rules prohibit dating a coworker.

The prison's electric fence prohibits escape.

Recent Examples on the Web

President Donald Trump has called for an end to an act that prohibits American businesses from bribing foreign governments to gain business deals abroad. —Justin Gest, Newsweek, 11 Feb. 2025

So instead of inserting clauses that prohibited the Americans from accessing the credit, it was capped at £15M because U.S. studios do not really play in this space. —Jake Kanter, Deadline, 11 Feb. 2025

In 1850, when California became the nation’s 31st state, legislators passed the Act for the Government and Protection of Indians, which prohibited intentional burning in prairie lands. —Jenny Jarvie, Los Angeles Times, 9 Feb. 2025

Harder claimed that this violated the federal Lanham Act, which prohibits false advertising. —New York Times, The Mercury News, 9 Feb. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Latin prohibitus, past participle of prohibēre to keep off, from pro- forward + habēre to hold — more at pro-, give

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

prohibit

verb

pro·​hib·​it prō-ˈhib-ət 

1

: to forbid by authority

prohibit parking

2

: to make impossible

the high walls prohibit escape