don't
A firm prohibition
Don't is the contraction of do not, used to form negative statements and commands: I don't understand, Don't touch that.
In some dialects, don't substitutes for doesn't with third-person singular subjects: He don't know any better.
This usage is nonstandard but widespread in casual speech.
Lacking the ability
- won'tContraction showing refusal
- shouldn'tAdvised against doing
- couldn'tPast inability marker
- wouldn'tPast conditional negative
isn't · aren't · hasn't · haven't · mustn't · needn't · wasn't · weren't
Opposite of yes
denial · rejection · negative · decline · disagree · refuse · oppose · dissent
Careful attention to risk
- red flagIndicator of danger
- heads-upInformal advance warning
- bewareExercise vigilant caution
- watch outWarning to be careful
careful · stop · think twice · reconsider · hold back · refrain · avoid · steer clear
Not allowed
- off-limitsProhibited from access
- tabooCultural or social prohibition
- restrictedLimited in scope
- bannedOfficially disallowed
prohibited · no-no · hands-off · out of bounds · against the rules · not allowed · inadvisable · unacceptable
can't
Lacking the ability
wouldn't · isn't · aren't · hasn't · haven't · mustn't · needn't · wasn't · weren't · shan't
no
Opposite of yes
refusal · denial · rejection · negative · decline · disagree · refuse · oppose · dissent · veto
caution
Careful attention to risk
watch out · careful · stop · think twice · reconsider · hold back · refrain · avoid · steer clear · resist
forbidden
Not allowed
- off-limitsProhibited from access
- tabooCultural or social prohibition
- restrictedLimited in scope
banned · prohibited · no-no · hands-off · out of bounds · against the rules · not allowed · inadvisable · unacceptable · improper
- caution expressionscaution, warning, beware, watch out, be careful
- negativesno, not, never, none, nothing
- Informal Spellingsgonna, wanna, gotta, oughta, shoulda
- scoldingscold, scolding, rebuke, berate, reprimand
- warningswarning, alert, caution, danger, warning sign
- boundariesboundary, boundary line, borders, border, edges
don'tdo
Perform an action
feel free · be my guest · by all means · go ahead · may
- don't worryReassurance against anxiety
- don't moveCommand to remain stationary
- well doneThoroughly cooked, or congratulations
- don't give upEncouragement to continue despite difficulty
- I'm doneDeclaration of completion
- don't botherDismissal of unnecessary effort