prohibit

American  

[proh-hib-it] / proʊˈhɪb ɪt /

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

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prohibit British  

/ prəˈhɪbɪt /

verb

1. to forbid by law or other authority

2. to hinder or prevent

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Usage

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.

Related Words

See forbid.

Other Word Forms

• prohibiter
  noun
• prohibitor
  noun

Etymology

Origin of prohibit

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”; see habit ¹

Explanation

If a sign says "Swimming Prohibited," don't go for a dip. It's not allowed. To prohibit is to forbid, or to disallow something. In school, you are prohibited from leaving the premises before the end of the school day. The school administration also prohibits smoking and chewing gum. In 1920, it became illegal to sell alcohol in the United States. This time period when alcohol was prohibited is known as the era of Prohibition. Famously Prohibition did not work. When you prohibit something, you often make it seem more appealing.

Example Sentences

Banks want the bill to prohibit companies such as Coinbase from paying customers yields on so-called stablecoins, a kind of token whose value is pegged to the dollar.

From Barron's • May 12, 2026

Kefalogianni insisted Greece was not breaching EU rules, which currently allow EES checks to be suspended briefly when airports become very congested, but prohibit blanket exemptions for citizens of a particular country.

From BBC • May 10, 2026

A TikTok spokesperson said the app’s “Community Guidelines explicitly prohibit the promotion of violent or criminal behavior, and we’re removing this content from our platform.”

From Los Angeles Times • May 8, 2026

We should allow contracts that help people hedge risk or anticipate public events, and we should prohibit those that let people profit from violence, personal tragedy or geopolitical disorder.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 5, 2026

In May, Congress adopts a gag rule designed to prohibit any discussion of petitions related to slavery.

From "In the Shadow of Liberty" by Kenneth C. Davis

Related Words

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