FORBID Synonyms: 78 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the verb 'forbid' differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of forbid are inhibit , interdict , and prohibit . While all these words 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

Q: When would 'inhibit' be a good substitute for 'forbid'?

While in some cases nearly identical to forbid , 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

Q: In what contexts can 'interdict' take the place of 'forbid'?

Although the words interdict and forbid have much in common, interdict implies prohibition by civil or ecclesiastical authority usually for a given time or a declared purpose. // practices interdicted by the church

Q: When could 'prohibit' be used to replace 'forbid'?

While the synonyms prohibit and forbid are close in meaning, prohibit suggests the issuing of laws, statutes, or regulations. // prohibited the sale of liquor

forbid

verb

fər-ˈbid

Definition of forbid next

as in to prohibit

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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How does the verb forbid differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of forbid are inhibit, interdict, and prohibit. While all these words 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

When would inhibit be a good substitute for forbid?

While in some cases nearly identical to forbid, 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

In what contexts can interdict take the place of forbid?

Although the words interdict and forbid have much in common, interdict implies prohibition by civil or ecclesiastical authority usually for a given time or a declared purpose.

practices interdicted by the church

When could prohibit be used to replace forbid?

While the synonyms prohibit and forbid are close in meaning, prohibit suggests the issuing of laws, statutes, or regulations.

prohibited the sale of liquor

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 forbid The 1949 Geneva Convention explicitly forbade the use of P.O.W.s for demining. —

Michael Holtz, The New Yorker, 17 Jan. 2025 In the 1950s, some professional football and baseball coaches actually forbade their athletes from heavy lifting. —

Danielle Friedman, New York Times, 15 Jan. 2025 The Worst National-Parks Reviews of the Year Alex Honnold’s Favorite Recovery Meal Is a Twist on a Classic Primavera Pasta Recipe The park expressly forbids anyone from driving off marked roads. —

Frederick Dreier, Outside Online, 15 Jan. 2025 But none of that matters, the court ruled: If a dye or any other chemical is found to cause cancer in animals, the FDA’s only option under the Delaney clause was to forbid its use. —

Karen Kaplan, Los Angeles Times, 15 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for forbid

Recent Examples of Synonyms for forbid

Verb

By Alison Durkee In April, President Joe Biden signed a law that prohibits U.S. app stores from hosting TikTok unless its Chinese parent company, ByteDance, relinquishes ownership.

— Monica Mercuri, Forbes, 19 Jan. 2025
Direct interference with another institution’s committed player and contractual interests is prohibited by NCAA tampering rules and the law.

— Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 19 Jan. 2025