prohibition
5 synonyms and 1 antonyms for prohibition, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — An act of forbidding something, or a rule that forbids it.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Antonyms
How to use prohibition
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Etymology
From Latin prohibitio, from prohibeo, "to forbid, prevent."
Full origin of prohibition →Frequently asked questions
What does “prohibition” mean?
The word “prohibition” means an act of forbidding something, or a rule that forbids it. In plain terms, an official ban, or (capitalized) the historical era when alcohol was banned in the US.
How do you pronounce “prohibition”?
“Prohibition” is pronounced proh-ih-BIH-shuhn (/ˌpɹoʊ(h)ɪˈbɪʃən/ in IPA).
How do you use “prohibition” in a sentence?
Here is “prohibition” used in a sentence: “The prohibition on late-night deliveries frustrated local businesses.”
What is another word for “prohibition”?
Words with a similar meaning to “prohibition” include forbode.
What is the opposite of “prohibition”?
The opposite of “prohibition” — its antonyms — is permission.
What part of speech is “prohibition”?
“Prohibition” is a noun.
Where does the word “prohibition” come from?
The word “prohibition” comes from Latin. From Latin prohibitio, from prohibeo, "to forbid, prevent.".
Is “prohibition” a common word?
“Prohibition” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
What is the difference between prohibition and restriction?
Prohibition means something is completely forbidden, with no allowance made for it, while a restriction limits how, when, or how much something can be done without banning it outright. A restriction on alcohol sales might limit hours, whereas a prohibition would ban sales entirely.
Why is Prohibition capitalized when talking about American history?
When capitalized, Prohibition refers specifically to the historical period when the making and selling of alcohol was made illegal in the United States. The lowercase word prohibition refers more generally to any act or rule of forbidding something.
What is the difference between prohibition and ban?
Prohibition and ban are close synonyms, both describing something made illegal or forbidden. Ban is the more common everyday word, while prohibition is often used in more formal, legal, or historical contexts.