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Forbid vs Disable - What's the difference?

forbid | disable |

In transitive terms the difference between forbid and disable

is that forbid is to oppose, hinder, or prevent, as if by an effectual command while disable is to render unable; to take away an ability of.

As an adjective disable is

lacking ability; unable.

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

    References

    * * English irregular verbs English reporting verbs

    disable

    English

    Verb

    (disabl)
  • To render unable; to take away an ability of.
  • (chiefly, of a person) To impair the physical or mental abilities of; to cause a serious, permanent injury.
    • Falling off the horse disabled him.
  • to deactivate a function of an electronical or mechanical device.
    • The pilot had to disable the autopilot of his airplane.

    Antonyms

    * enable

    Derived terms

    * disablement

    Adjective

    (en adjective)
  • (obsolete) Lacking ability; unable.
  • * Daniel
    • Our disable and unactive force.

    Anagrams

    *