What's the difference between
and
Enter two words to compare and contrast their definitions, origins, and synonyms to better understand how those words are related.

Deter vs Forbid - What's the difference?

deter | forbid |

In lang=en terms the difference between deter and forbid

is that deter is to persuade someone not to do something; to discourage while forbid is to oppose, hinder, or prevent, as if by an effectual command.

As verbs the difference between deter and forbid

is that deter is to prevent something from happening while forbid is to disallow; to proscribe.

deter

English

Verb

(deterr)
  • To prevent something from happening.
  • To persuade someone not to do something; to discourage.
  • * 1748 . David Hume. Enquiries concerning the human understanding and concerning the principles of moral. London: Oxford University Press, 1973. ยง 10.
  • we have in following enquiry, attempted to throw some light upon subjects, from which uncertainty has hitherto deterred the wise

    Anagrams

    * ----

    forbid

    English

    Verb

  • To disallow; to proscribe.
  • Smoking in the restaurant is forbidden .
  • * 1908 ,
  • the Mole recollected that animal-etiquette forbade any sort of comment on the sudden disappearance of one's friends at any moment, for any reason or no reason whatever.
  • To deny, exclude from, or warn off, by express command.
  • * Shakespeare
  • Have I not forbid her my house?
  • To oppose, hinder, or prevent, as if by an effectual command.
  • An impassable river forbids the approach of the army.
  • * Dryden
  • a blaze of glory that forbids the sight
  • (obsolete) To accurse; to blast.
  • * Shakespeare
  • He shall live a man forbid .
  • (obsolete) To defy; to challenge.
  • Usage notes

    * This is a catenative verb that takes the to infinitive'' when the forbidden person is mentioned, and the ''gerund (-ing) otherwise. See . Examples: ** The management forbids employees to smoke in the office. (Active; those subject to prohibition are identified) ** Employees are forbidden to smoke in the office. (Passive; those subject to prohibition are identified) ** The management forbids smoking in the office. (Active; those subject to prohibition are not identified) ** Smoking in the office is forbidden. (Passive; those subject to prohibition are not identified)

    Synonyms

    * prohibit * disallow * ban * veto * See also