prohibit
Americanverb (used with object)
verb
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to forbid by law or other authority
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to hinder or prevent
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.
Synonym Usage
See forbid.
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
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prohibitsimple
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prohibitssimple
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have prohibitedperfect
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has prohibitedperfect
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am prohibitingprogressive
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are prohibitingprogressive
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is prohibitingprogressive
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have been prohibitingperfect progressive
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has been prohibitingperfect progressive
Past
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prohibitedsimple
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had prohibitedperfect
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was prohibitingprogressive
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were prohibitingprogressive
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had been prohibitingperfect progressive
Future
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.
Vocabulary lists containing prohibit
The Bill of Rights
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List 14
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The First Amendment of the US Constitution
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
Snap did not go so far as to try and prohibit all AI-generated content from Snapchat.
From BBC ● Jul. 31, 2026
The U.S. can prohibit Chinese models domestically but can’t prevent the rest of the world from using them.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 30, 2026
The plaintiffs asked the court to declare the surveillance policy unlawful, vacate it and prohibit Homeland Security from continuing to collect and maintain records describing individuals’ protected First Amendment activities.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 24, 2026
Austria and Slovenia are also preparing legislation to prohibit access for under-14s and under-15s, respectively.
From Barron's ● Jul. 21, 2026
“It’s to prohibit you from making a profit. You cannot have a giant garage sale when it’s over.”
From "Millionaires for the Month" by Stacey McAnulty
In Arizona, for example, “state law prohibits our department from a role overseeing private schools,” a spokesperson for the state Department of Education told ProPublica.
From Salon ● Jul. 27, 2026
His surname is not being used due to German law, which prohibits naming suspects at this stage.
From BBC ● Jul. 26, 2026
Current federal law prohibits states from implementing year-round daylight saving time.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 22, 2026
A California federal judge granted a 14-day restraining order on Monday that prohibits the companies from closing the deal.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 22, 2026
I’m just hoping there’s an amendment somewhere in the Constitution that prohibits the FBI from stealing my collection of hardcover fantasy novels.
From "South of Somewhere" by Kalena Miller
Most likely to protect his $6 million contract that prohibited high-risk activities such as motorcycle riding.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 31, 2026
Cas said the test showed "a low concentration" of the prohibited cardiovascular medication.
From BBC ● Jul. 31, 2026
Luria said in emailed comments that concerns about China’s advanced technology developments “may be more relevant to the Korean companies,” because most U.S. companies are prohibited from selling to Chinese customers.
From MarketWatch ● Jul. 28, 2026
But “we are not aware of any determination by Florida authorities that would have prohibited her from founding or operating the school” and there have been no complaints in Florida about Helton, the spokesperson said.
From Salon ● Jul. 27, 2026
“Almost nobody. I’m one of the very few. It’s prohibited, you see. But as I make the laws here, I can also break them. With impunity, Mr. Marx,” he added, turning to Bernard.
From "Brave New World" by Aldous Huxley
In March, Greer’s office opened a tariff investigation into 60 economies it accused of not prohibiting the use of forced labor in supply chains.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 22, 2026
For example, Spain wants to ban under-16s accessing social networks, while France proposes prohibiting children aged 15 and under.
From Barron's ● Jul. 13, 2026
Cook, the chief justice created an exception to this rule for the Federal Reserve by a 5–4 vote, prohibiting the president from removing without good cause.
From Slate ● Jul. 6, 2026
The pair were also handed a lifelong restraining order prohibiting them from contacting the victims.
From BBC ● Jul. 2, 2026
That legislation carved a huge exception to the Posse Comitatus Act, the Civil War-era law prohibiting the use of the military for civilian policing.
From "The New Jim Crow" by Michelle Alexander
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
