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

Also in November, Texas Governor Greg Abbott sent a letter to Texas public colleges and universities prohibiting college tuition increases for next year. —Michael T. Nietzel, Forbes, 20 Dec. 2024

State ethics laws prohibit members of the executive branch from accepting gifts, including travel reimbursements, from lobbyists and their employers. Expenses for the trip paid by Alliance Defending Freedom totaled about $1,900, according to the governor’s office. —Vivian Jones, The Tennessean, 20 Dec. 2024

The court's decision strikes down a state policy that prohibited the consideration of greenhouse gas emissions in granting permits for fossil fuel development. —Benedict Cosgrove, Newsweek, 19 Dec. 2024

His two federal cases, on charges of interfering with the 2020 election and refusing to return classified documents, were dropped following Trump's reelection last month, due to a longstanding Justice Department policy prohibiting the criminal prosecution of a sitting president. —Peter Charalambous, ABC News, 19 Dec. 2024

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