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

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

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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 He is forbidden from having any contact with the victim, possessing any guns, and from possessing or consuming drugs or alcohol. — Shira Moolten, Sun Sentinel, 14 Aug. 2026 With these connections, people can use social media, play online poker, and—in theory—Zoom, though many airlines still forbid or discourage video calls. — Nancy Walecki, The Atlantic, 13 Aug. 2026 Since the fractal uncertainty principle forbids a wave from being trapped on a fractal, no such region can exist — the wave must spread everywhere. — Shalma Wegsman, Quanta Magazine, 12 Aug. 2026 About to turn 50, with a body falling apart and the feeling that his life is a fraud, his doctor forbids him from lifting more than three kilos due to a hernia. — Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 11 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for forbid

Recent Examples of Synonyms for forbid

Verb

The federal law generally prohibits schools that receive federal education funding from disclosing personally identifiable information from a student's education records without a parent's or guardian's consent, except in limited circumstances.

— Adam Thompson, CBS News, 20 Aug. 2026
The crackdown remains a political taboo on the mainland, where authorities tightly censor discussion of the events and prohibit public commemorations.

— ABC News, ABC News, 20 Aug. 2026

Definition of prohibit

Verb

However, the former public servant was ultimately banned from leaving the country.

— Sylvie Zhuang, CNN Money, 16 Aug. 2026
All of this comes after Princess Eugenie chose to have her third child in Portugal, and reports that both Andrew and Fergie had been banned from the delivery room.

— Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 16 Aug. 2026

Definition of ban

Verb

California’s bid to outlaw ‘glow-in-the-dark rabbits’ and ‘unicorn horses’ through experimentation fails.

— Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 15 Aug. 2026
If the Democratic Party wanted to pass a national version of the DPA, thousands of DSPs would be outlawed and hundreds of thousands of DSP employees would either lose their jobs or be hired by Amazon.

— Tiana Lowe Doescher, The Washington Examiner, 15 Aug. 2026

Definition of outlaw

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forbears

forbid

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“Forbid.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/forbid. Accessed 21 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of forbid

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