prohibit

[proh-hib-it]

verb (used with object)

1. to forbid (an action, activity, etc.) by authority or law.

   Smoking is prohibited here.

   Synonyms: interdict
   Antonyms: permit

2. to forbid the action of (a person).

3. to prevent; hinder.

   Synonyms: obstruct

prohibit

/ prəˈhɪbɪt /

verb

1. to forbid by law or other authority

2. to hinder or prevent

Other Word Forms

• prohibiter noun
• prohibitor noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of prohibit¹

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English, from Latin prohibitus, past participle of prohibēre “to hold before, hold back, hinder, forbid,” equivalent to pro- pro- ¹ + -hibēre, combining form of habēre “to have, hold”; habit ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of prohibit¹

C15: from Latin prohibēre to prevent, from _pro- ¹ + habēre to hold

Synonym Study

See forbid.

Example Sentences

"If ... Faber & Faber Limited are legally prohibited from paying me the royalties I am owed, my existing works may have to be withdrawn from sale," she said.

Read more on BBC

A spokesman with the California Natural Resources Agency said the state remains committed to prohibiting new offshore drilling and protecting coastline communities.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

His sons still talk to their father regularly, and joke that he knows more about their personal lives than ever before, because they are prohibited from discussing the firm’s business.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

The following topics are now prohibited at most family gatherings: politics, religion, education, medicine, science, climate, taxes, architecture, media, movies, automobiles and anything to do with Philadelphia sports.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Guards are also prohibited from speaking to them about current events.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

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

When To Use

What’s the difference between prohibit and inhibit?

Prohibit most commonly means to forbid or disallow, but it can also mean what inhibit usually means—to prevent or hinder. Inhibit can also mean to forbid, but this use is much less common.Prohibit is most commonly used in the context of rules, especially official ones like laws. The speed limit prohibits you from going above a certain speed. Parents might prohibit their kids from eating candy before dinner, but the word forbid is more commonly used in cases like this.Inhibit, on the other hand, is usually used in the context of things that prevent or hinder what someone is trying to do. Speed bumps are designed to inhibit speeding. A leg injury can inhibit your ability to walk.The meaning of prohibit and inhibit most often overlaps in cases when something is inhibited to the point of almost not being able to happen at all, as in This cast is designed to prohibit movement (prohibit could be replaced with inhibit in this sentence without much or any change in meaning).The adjective form inhibited is often used to indicate that someone or something is held back from full potential. When it’s applied to a person, it usually involves a mental, emotional, or psychological block, as in I feel less inhibited around my new group of friends—they accept me for who I am.The adjective prohibited describes something that’s forbidden, as in The sign lists all of the prohibited activities. Here’s an example of prohibit and inhibit used correctly in the same sentence.Example: To inhibit the acceleration of climate change, we must prohibit any increase in fossil fuel emissions. Want to learn more? Read the full breakdown of the difference between inhibit and prohibit.