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 Yet, no major religion in the world forbids vaccinations, and most encourage and embrace them as a common good, like the Catholic bishops. — Beth Mole, ArsTechnica, 26 Aug. 2026 Baseball can't afford a lengthy work stoppage or, God forbid, the cancellation of the 2027 season. — Ian Miller Outkick, FOXNews.com, 25 Aug. 2026 So, theoretically, if the Postal Service were to propose a rule that would forbid the transmission of ballots that don’t meet their standards, and then that rule is ultimately adopted, then the states would have standing to bring this case. — John J. Martin, The Conversation, 25 Aug. 2026 Still others turn their front yards into meadows of wildflowers (though some homeowners’ associations forbid that). — Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 24 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for forbid

Recent Examples of Synonyms for forbid

Verb

The law is aimed at prohibiting children from obtaining books and movies with obscene content.

— Joseph Flaherty, Arkansas Online, 28 Aug. 2026
Other efforts to battle the practice Maryland was the first in the country to prohibit large grocery stores and delivery services from using personal data to set prices for specific customers.

— Jack Dolan, Los Angeles Times, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of prohibit

Verb

And earlier this year, the nation’s second largest school district, Los Angeles Unified, banned in-school screen use for students in preschool through first grade and curbed screen time for older students.

— Jason Ma, Fortune, 30 Aug. 2026
Walruses were once hunted in vast numbers, for their blubber, hides and ivory, driving them close to extinction in Svalbard’s waters, before hunting was banned in 1952.

— Sarah Kingdom, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026

Definition of ban

Verb

Increasingly, schools are outlawing mobile phones — as Maryland did in May of this year — and digital detox retreats are rising in popularity.

— Thu T. Nguyen, Baltimore Sun, 27 Aug. 2026
Those of us with a platform need to use our voices before speaking out is outlawed altogether.

— Abid Rahman, HollywoodReporter, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of outlaw

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forbears

forbid

forbiddance

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“Forbid.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/forbid. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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