Synonyms for Forbidden
Updated · Synonyms List editorial team
Quick answer: Forbidden describes something strictly banned or not allowed to do. You can use banned, prohibited, or restricted as direct synonyms. Other words include unallowed, disallowed, and nonpermitted. This list helps you find the perfect word for your sentence.
Closest Synonyms for Forbidden
- banned
- Officially stopped by a group or law. The teacher banned the game from the gym.
- prohibited
- Formally forbidden by a rule or regulation. Smoking is prohibited inside the building.
- restricted
- Limited in access or use. The area is restricted to staff only.
- disallowed
- Officially declared not permitted. The referee disallowed the goal.
- outlawed
- Made illegal by the government. The drug was outlawed last year.
- bidded against
- Not allowed to compete or enter. He was bidded against from the race.
- disapproved of
- Shown that something is not allowed or acceptable. They disapproved of his choice of friends.
- precluded
- Made impossible or prevented from happening. The rules precluded any further play.
- outcast
- Rejected from a group, often because of breaking rules. The outcast lived on the edge of town.
Formal Synonyms for Forbidden
- Unlawful
- Breaking the law and therefore not allowed, such as 'It is unlawful to operate a vehicle without a valid license.'
- Barred
- Prevented from entering or doing something, as in 'He was barred from the meeting because he missed the deadline.'
- Unlicensed
- Lacking the required permission to operate, like 'Driving an unlicensed vehicle can lead to heavy fines.'
- Consigned
- Sent away or separated from others due to being forbidden, though less common in modern usage, it implies removal from accepted groups.
- Shunned
- Avoided or rejected by society because of a forbidden act, like 'The community shunned the family after the scandal.'
- Interdicted
- Officially forbidden, especially by a church or high court, like 'The town was interdicted until restitution was made.'
Informal Synonyms for Forbidden
- off limits
- commonly used to describe areas people should not enter
- declined
- can mean an offer was refused or an action was turned down
- denied
- suggests that a request was rejected by the person in charge
- blocked
- means something is stopped from happening or moving forward
- unpermitted
- indicates that proper authorization was missing for an activity
Stronger and Weaker Words
- Not Permitted
- Weaker
- Condemned
- Stronger
- Disbarred
- Stronger
Antonyms for Forbidden
- approved
- allowed
- permitted
- sanctioned
- authorized
- admitted
- accepted
- countenanced
- endorsed
- ratified
- licensed
- acquiesced
- embraced
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between banned and forbidden?
Banned usually implies an official prohibition by an authority or organization. Forbidden is broader and can refer to moral rules or personal restrictions. Banned is more specific to laws, while forbidden covers any strict prohibition.
Can I use prohibited in casual conversation?
You can use prohibited in casual conversation, but it sounds slightly formal. It works well when talking about rules, signs, or official policies. For casual speech, banned or not allowed might feel more natural to listeners.
What are some antonyms for forbidden?
Common antonyms for forbidden include allowed, permitted, acceptable, and welcome. You might also use terms like approved or sanctioned to show that an action is officially okay. These words suggest the opposite of being strictly banned.
How do I choose the right synonym?
Choose the synonym based on who is making the rule and the tone you want. Use banned for official rules, prohibited for formal contexts, and restricted when access is limited. Match the word to the severity and source of the prohibition in your sentence.
