prohibit

[proh-hib-it] / proʊˈhɪb ɪt /

VERB

make impossible; stop

Synonyms

STRONGEST

ban block constrain enjoin forbid freeze halt hinder impede inhibit outlaw preclude prevent proscribe restrain restrict rule out

STRONG

cool cork debar disallow forfend hamper interdict kill nix obstruct spike stymie taboo veto

WEAK

bottle up box in bring to screeching halt gridlock hang up hold up jam up keep lid on lock up pass on put a lock on put a stopper in put chill on put down put half nelson on shut out throw cold water on tie up zing

Antonyms

STRONGEST

advance aid allow approve assist continue facilitate forward free help include let go permit push release support

STRONG

encourage promote

WEAK

favor

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Federal ethics rules for executive-branch employees prohibit trading on nonpublic information, but most agencies lack express rules to address trading in prediction markets.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 17, 2026

It already has laws that prohibit the dispensation of abortion pills.

From Slate • May 15, 2026

Kefalogianni insisted Greece was not breaching EU rules, which currently allow EES checks to be suspended briefly when airports become very congested, but prohibit blanket exemptions for citizens of a particular country.

From BBC • May 10, 2026

A TikTok spokesperson said the app’s “Community Guidelines explicitly prohibit the promotion of violent or criminal behavior, and we’re removing this content from our platform.”

From Los Angeles Times • May 8, 2026

Another way to say this is We prevented his going. prohibit: She was prohibited from going.

From "Woe Is I" by Patricia T. O'Conner

Vocabulary lists containing prohibit

The Bill of Rights

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List 14

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The First Amendment of the US Constitution

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