forbid
Declare off limits
Forbid is to prohibit or disallow something—to declare that it must not happen or be done.
Parents forbid children from staying out late; rules forbid smoking indoors.
God forbid expresses hope that something won't occur.
The past tense is forbade or forbad, the past participle forbidden: Smoking is forbidden here.
Forbidden often suggests allure—the forbidden fruit tempts precisely because it's off-limits.
Fugitive from justice
- enjoinCommand or legally forbid
- barDrinking establishment
- blockSolid mass, or impede
- disallowRefuse to permit
proscribe · restrain · suppress · criminalize · illegalize · ban · restrict · preclude
Official restriction on something
- decreeAuthoritative legal command
- edictAuthoritative public command
- mandateFormal authoritative directive
- injunctionCourt-ordered behavioral requirement
interdict · moratorium · embargo · veto · commandment · dictate · fiat · ordinance
Prohibited by authority
- off-limitsProhibited from access
- sacrosanctRegarded as too important to alter
- unmentionableToo shameful to discuss
- unspeakableBeyond verbal expression
anathema · stigma · heresy · blasphemy · profane · impermissible · untouchable · transgression
Officially send away
- exileBanishment from homeland
- expelRemove forcibly from membership
- oustRemove from position
- barDrinking establishment
exclude · blacklist · ostracize · shun · boycott · excommunicate · blackball · debar
Prevent through intimidation
- dissuadeConvince not to
- discourageDiminish someone's confidence
- warnGive notice of peril
- cautionCareful attention to risk
prevent · disincentivize · admonish · reprove · rebuke · chide · remonstrate · talk out of
Penalty for an offense
- penaltyPunishment for wrongdoing
- sanctionApproval or punitive measure
- repercussionIndirect result of action
- enforcementCompelling compliance with rules
accountability · retribution · discipline · censure · fine · sentence · condemnation · reprimand
Invoked harm through words
- hexMalevolent incantation
- jinxCurse bringing misfortune
- spellArrange letters correctly
- enchantmentMagical influence over someone
malediction · imprecation · evil eye · charm · incantation · bewitch · accursed · damned
outlaw
Fugitive from justice
disallow · proscribe · restrain · suppress · criminalize · illegalize · ban · restrict · preclude · quash
ban
Official restriction on something
- decreeAuthoritative legal command
- edictAuthoritative public command
- mandateFormal authoritative directive
injunction · interdict · moratorium · embargo · veto · commandment · dictate · fiat · ordinance · statute
verboten
Prohibited by authority
- off-limitsProhibited from access
- sacrosanctRegarded as too important to alter
- unmentionableToo shameful to discuss
unspeakable · anathema · stigma · heresy · blasphemy · profane · impermissible · untouchable · transgression · violation
banish
Officially send away
bar · exclude · blacklist · ostracize · shun · boycott · excommunicate · blackball · debar · shut out
deter
Prevent through intimidation
- dissuadeConvince not to
- discourageDiminish someone's confidence
- warnGive notice of peril
caution · prevent · disincentivize · admonish · reprove · rebuke · chide · remonstrate · talk out of · put off
punishment
Penalty for an offense
- penaltyPunishment for wrongdoing
- sanctionApproval or punitive measure
- repercussionIndirect result of action
enforcement · accountability · retribution · discipline · censure · fine · sentence · condemnation · reprimand · prosecution
curse
Invoked harm through words
enchantment · malediction · imprecation · evil eye · charm · incantation · bewitch · accursed · damned · ill-fated
- God forbidExpression against unwanted outcomes
- forbidden fruitEnticing thing that's prohibited
- heaven forbidPlea against misfortune
- forbidden loveRomance society prohibits
- forbidden knowledgeDangerous truths deliberately hidden
- forbidden zoneArea entry is prohibited