Forbid and Prohibit – Definition and Part of Speech
The phrase forbid and prohibit refers to actions or directives that prevent someone from doing something, often through authority or law. Both are primarily used as verbs:
- Forbid: To command against an action; it’s often more personal or moralistic in tone.
- Prohibit: To formally disallow an action; it is typically used in legal or official contexts.
These words share the idea of prevention but vary slightly based on context and formality. They can also appear as nouns: “prohibition” for prohibit.
Core Synonyms (Table Format)
| Synonym | Brief Definition/Nuance | Example Sentence | Style/Register |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ban | Officially or legally stopping something. | “The government decided to ban the substance.” | Formal/Business, Legal |
| Restrict | Limiting freedom or access to certain actions. | “Access to the area is restricted during business hours.” | Business/Official |
| Outlaw | Declare illegal by law, often used in legislative contexts. | “The new regulation outlaws texting while driving.” | Legal/Formal |
| Disallow | To reject or refuse approval of something. | “The committee chose to disallow the proposed changes.” | Academic/Professional |
| Veto | The power to unilaterally stop a decision or action, often by authority. | “The president decided to veto the bill.” | Formal/Legislative |
Usage Notes
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Ban: This synonym is ideal for situations involving legal restrictions. In business writing, it conveys the seriousness of official decisions. In academic settings, its use highlights societal issues or historical contexts where certain actions were officially stopped.
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Restrict: Commonly used in professional environments to denote limitations on resources, access, or behaviors. It’s a softer term than “prohibit” and implies some degree of control rather than absolute prevention.
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Outlaw: Often seen in legal documents or discussions about changes in the law. Its usage is more specific to legislative actions that make something illegal, making it suitable for formal writing about policies or laws.
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Disallow: Typically used in academic or professional contexts where an action is being rejected formally, such as proposals or suggestions during meetings or evaluations.
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Veto: Best applied in a governmental or organizational context where someone with authority has the power to stop decisions. It carries connotations of high-level decision-making and is appropriate for discussing politics or corporate governance.
Common Pitfalls
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Mixing up “ban” and “outlaw”: While similar, “ban” often refers to stopping an action (e.g., smoking in restaurants), whereas “outlaw” makes something illegal (e.g., outlawing certain substances).
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Confusing “prohibit” with “restrict”: To prohibit means not allowing at all, while to restrict means limiting. For example, a prohibited item is completely forbidden, but a restricted area might be accessible only under certain conditions.
Final Recap
In summary, synonyms for forbid and prohibit like ban, restrict, outlaw, disallow, and veto each bring unique nuances that fit different contexts—from formal legal documents to casual business settings. Understanding these subtle differences can enrich your vocabulary and improve precision in communication.
Practice using these terms in sentences or discussions to become more comfortable with their applications. By doing so, you will enhance not only your understanding but also your ability to convey precise meanings based on the context at hand.