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

The best way to prevent AI from achieving that, it would seem, is by ensuring that it is developed in the full glare of the public, not by trying to prohibit its development outright.

Read more on Barron's

During their trial, the defence argued that the women had not known that their route on the perimeter of the Istana was in a prohibited area as they had travelled along public roads.

Read more on BBC

Between the start of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 and August 2025, men aged 18 to 60 were prohibited from leaving Ukraine, apart from exceptional cases.

Read more on Barron's

Still, they view tighter U.S. “prohibited foreign entity” restrictions targeting Chinese suppliers and more U.S. orders from non-PFE suppliers as potential share-price catalysts for the company.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

The act that enabled the funding for the Intel deal didn’t explicitly talk about the U.S. taking shares but it didn’t prohibit it, either.

Read more on Barron's

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.