Search Results
Advanced Search
List Builder
Random Word

forbid

When you forbid something, you refuse to allow it. You might have heard your parents say things like, "I forbid you to play ball in the house!" or "I forbid you to have any more parties when we're not home!"

Forbid comes from the Old English word forbeodan, meaning "forbid, prohibit." Forbid can also mean "prevent" or "keep from happening." The spare tire on your car will forbid you from driving any faster than 40 miles an hour — any faster and the car will shake. You may have heard forbid used in the expression "God forbid . . ." This refers to something you hope will not happen, so much so that you're asking God for a little help.

DEFINITIONS OF: forbid

v command against

“I forbid you to call me late at night”

Synonyms:: disallow, interdict, nix, prohibit, proscribe, veto

Antonyms:: allow, countenance, let, permit
consent to, give permission; allow, grant
let have; show more antonyms...

Types:: show 5 types...; hide 5 types...; ban
prohibit especially by legal means or social pressure; bar, debar, exclude
prevent from entering; keep out; enjoin
issue an injunction; criminalise, criminalize, illegalise, illegalize, outlaw
declare illegal; outlaw; ban, censor
forbid the public distribution of ( a movie or a newspaper)

Type of:: command, require
make someone do something

v keep from happening or arising; make impossible

“My sense of tact forbids an honest answer”

Synonyms:: foreclose, forestall, preclude, prevent

Types:: show 16 types...; hide 16 types...; make unnecessary, save
make unnecessary an expenditure or effort; avert, avoid, debar, deflect, fend off, forefend, forfend, head off, obviate, stave off, ward off
prevent the occurrence of; prevent from happening; block, blockade, embarrass, hinder, obstruct, stymie, stymy
hinder or prevent the progress or accomplishment of; baffle, bilk, cross, foil, frustrate, queer, scotch, spoil, thwart
hinder or prevent (the efforts, plans, or desires) of; block, halt, kibosh, stop
stop from happening or developing; stonewall
obstruct or hinder any discussion; disappoint, let down
fail to meet the hopes or expectations of; embargo
prevent commerce; filibuster
obstruct deliberately by delaying; check
block or impede (a player from the opposing team) in ice hockey; hang
prevent from reaching a verdict, of a jury; bottleneck
slow down or impede by creating an obstruction; dash
destroy or break; short-circuit
hamper the progress of; impede; ruin
destroy or cause to fail; stay
stop a judicial process

Learn Launch

WORD FAMILY

USAGE EXAMPLES