forbid
1 of 2verb
for·bid fər-ˈbid 
fȯr-
forbade fər-ˈbad also forbad fər-ˈbad
-ˈbād,
fȯr- also forbad fər-ˈbad fȯr-
; forbidden fər-ˈbi-dᵊn fȯr-
; forbidding transitive verb
1
: to proscribe (see proscribe sense 2) from or as if from the position of one in authority : command against
The law forbids stores to sell liquor to minors.
Her mother forbids her to go.
2
: to hinder or prevent as if by an effectual command
Space forbids further treatment here.
Modesty forbids telling what my part was in the affair.
forbidder noun
forbid
2 of 2adjective
archaic
: accursed
he shall live a man forbid
William Shakespeare
William Shakespeare
Synonyms
Verb
- ban
- bar
- enjoin
- interdict
- outlaw
- prohibit
- proscribe
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
Verb I forbid you to go! She was forbidden by her parents to marry him. She was forbidden from marrying him. The museum forbids flash photography. The company's rules forbid dating among employees.
Recent Examples on the Web Sabrina Eaton, cleveland, 14 Sep. 2022 James Craig, the leading Republican candidate for governor in Michigan, has backed bills that would forbid the mass mailing of absentee ballot applications to voters who do not request them and that would enact a strict voter ID requirement. BostonGlobe.com, 7 Oct. 2021 Meta’s policies forbid users from selling account verification as a service and from misrepresenting their identity in order to receive a badge. Craig Silverman, ProPublica, 31 Aug. 2022 Tribal beliefs forbid capturing these solemn services in video or photographs because that would freeze the prayers in time and prevent their transmission to the Creator. Deepa Bharath, oregonlive, 18 Aug. 2022 Having such a firewall at the horizon would forbid anything from entering the black hole. Ahmed Almheiri, Scientific American, 17 Aug. 2022 The review board’s mission statement does not explicitly forbid activism, but cautions against engaging in activities that could be interpreted as showing bias against an agency or person the board investigates. Jeff Mcdonald, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 July 2022 The original, installed in 2006, was on an 80-foot pole though Palm Beach ordinances forbid flag poles to be higher than 42 feet; a violation carries a daily fine of $250. Sam Dangremond, Town & Country, 8 Aug. 2022 Ford even intends to add an electromagnetic cargo-securing system, because God forbid cargo shift even slightly at supersonic speeds. Sasha Richie, Car and Driver, 23 June 2022 See More
Verb
One aimed at the auto industry would forbid motor vehicle makers from blocking owners’ access to diagnostic information or impair aftermarket parts manufacturers from producing or offering compatible aftermarket parts. Sabrina Eaton, cleveland, 14 Sep. 2022 James Craig, the leading Republican candidate for governor in Michigan, has backed bills that would forbid the mass mailing of absentee ballot applications to voters who do not request them and that would enact a strict voter ID requirement. BostonGlobe.com, 7 Oct. 2021 Meta’s policies forbid users from selling account verification as a service and from misrepresenting their identity in order to receive a badge. Craig Silverman, ProPublica, 31 Aug. 2022 Tribal beliefs forbid capturing these solemn services in video or photographs because that would freeze the prayers in time and prevent their transmission to the Creator. Deepa Bharath, oregonlive, 18 Aug. 2022 Having such a firewall at the horizon would forbid anything from entering the black hole. Ahmed Almheiri, Scientific American, 17 Aug. 2022 The review board’s mission statement does not explicitly forbid activism, but cautions against engaging in activities that could be interpreted as showing bias against an agency or person the board investigates. Jeff Mcdonald, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 July 2022 The original, installed in 2006, was on an 80-foot pole though Palm Beach ordinances forbid flag poles to be higher than 42 feet; a violation carries a daily fine of $250. Sam Dangremond, Town & Country, 8 Aug. 2022 Ford even intends to add an electromagnetic cargo-securing system, because God forbid cargo shift even slightly at supersonic speeds. Sasha Richie, Car and Driver, 23 June 2022 See More Word History
Etymology
Verb and Adjective
Middle English forbidden, from Old English forbēodan, from for- + bēodan to bid — more at bid entry 1
First Known Use
Verb
before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Adjective
1606, in the meaning defined above
Phrases Containing forbid
Kids Definition
forbid
verb
for·bid fər-ˈbid
forbade
-ˈbad
; forbidden -ˈbi-dᵊn
; forbidding : to order not to do something
I forbid you to go!
forbade
verb
variants also forbad
as in prohibited
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
Relevance
- prohibited
- banned
- discouraged
- barred
- enjoined
- outlawed
- proscribed
- interdicted
- prevented
- precluded
- dissuaded
- deterred
- excluded
- disallowed
- stopped
- quashed
- vetoed
- restrained
- halted
- debarred
- suppressed
- quelled
- hindered
- squelched
- silenced
- curbed
- deprived
- impeded
- ruled out
- repressed
- rejected
- inhibited
- shut out
- subdued
- squashed
- embargoed
- repudiated
- bridled
- blocked
- obstructed
- checked
- clamped down (on)
- cracked down (on)
- crushed
- put down
- reined (in)
- snuffed (out)
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- permitted
- allowed
- let
- approved
- suffered
- authorized
- sanctioned
- endorsed
- encouraged
- indorsed
- licensed
- ordered
- supported
- warranted
- promoted
- furthered
- cultivated
- commanded
- forwarded
- advanced
- bade
- abetted
- tolerated
- nurtured
- nourished
- bore
- bid
- endured
- licenced
- countenanced
- abided
- brooked
- abode