The opposite of permit is to stop, block, or refuse something from happening. While permit means to allow or give permission, its opposites describe actions that prevent or deny approval.
Antonyms for permit include words like forbid, prohibit, ban, deny, and disallow. These words are commonly used when someone is not allowed to do something or when rules or authority prevent an action. In this post, you’ll find examples and clear explanations to help you understand how to use each opposite word correctly.
Definition of “Permit”
The word “permit” functions primarily as a verb and a noun in the English language. As a verb, permit means to allow something to happen or to give authorization for something to be done. It implies a formal or informal granting of permission.
As a noun, a permit is a document or authorization allowing someone to do something, such as a building permit or a parking permit. The noun form represents the physical or legal manifestation of permission.
The word “permit” is derived from the Latin word “permittere,” which means “to allow.” Its usage spans across various contexts, including legal, social, and everyday situations. Understanding the dual nature of “permit” as both a verb and a noun is essential for grasping its antonyms, which also have different implications depending on the context.
Structural Breakdown of “Permit”
The word “permit,” both as a verb and a noun, has a straightforward structure. Let’s examine both forms:
- Verb Form: The verb “permit” is often followed by a direct object and an infinitive. For example: “The teacher permitted the students to leave early.” Here, “students” is the direct object, and “to leave” is the infinitive phrase indicating the action permitted.
- Noun Form: The noun “permit” is typically used with adjectives to specify the type of permit. For example: “building permit,” “parking permit,” or “work permit.” It can also be used in phrases like “application for a permit” or “issuance of a permit.”
Understanding the grammatical structure helps in identifying and using its antonyms correctly. Antonyms will similarly have structural implications, influencing how they are used in sentences.
Opposite of Permit
The antonyms of “permit” can be categorized based on the specific nuance they convey. Here are some key categories:
Prohibition
Prohibition refers to the act of formally forbidding something, often by law or regulation. Words like “prohibit,” “ban,” and “forbid” fall into this category. These antonyms suggest a strict and often legal or official prevention of an action.
Restriction
Restriction implies limiting or controlling something rather than completely forbidding it. Words like “restrict,” “limit,” “constrain,” and “curtail” are examples. Restrictions allow something but within specific boundaries or conditions.
Prevention
Prevention focuses on stopping something from happening in the first place. Words such as “prevent,” “hinder,” “obstruct,” and “impede” are relevant here. These antonyms emphasize proactive measures to avoid an action.
Objection
Objection involves expressing disapproval or opposition to something. Words like “object,” “oppose,” “protest,” and “decline” fit this category. These terms suggest a verbal or formal expression against allowing something.
Disapproval
Disapproval denotes a negative opinion or sentiment towards something. Words like “disapprove,” “reject,” “decline,” and “veto” are relevant. This category focuses on expressing a lack of endorsement or acceptance.
Examples of Antonyms for “Permit”
To illustrate the usage of these antonyms, let’s look at specific examples in various contexts.
Prohibition Examples
The following table provides examples using antonyms related to ‘prohibition’. These examples showcase how these antonyms can be used in sentences to convey the opposite meaning of ‘permit’.
| Antonym | Example Sentence |
|---|---|
| Prohibit | The law prohibits smoking in public places. |
| Ban | The government decided to ban the import of certain goods. |
| Forbid | My parents forbid me from going to the party. |
| Outlaw | The new legislation outlaws the use of plastic bags. |
| Interdict | The court interdicted the sale of the property. |
| Disallow | The referee disallowed the goal due to a foul. |
| Proscribe | The dictator proscribed any form of dissent. |
| Inhibit | The new regulations inhibit business growth. |
| Restrain | The police had to restrain the unruly crowd. |
| Suppress | The government attempted to suppress the rebellion. |
| Censor | The government chose to censor the media. |
| Stop | The security guard had to stop the intruder. |
| Block | The protesters tried to block the road. |
| Prevent | The rain prevented us from having a picnic. |
| Hinder | The snowstorm hindered our travel plans. |
| Obstruct | The fallen tree obstructed the path. |
| Impede | Bureaucracy can impede progress on projects. |
| Thwart | Their plans were thwarted by unforeseen circumstances. |
| Nullify | The court decided to nullify the contract. |
| Invalidate | The error invalidated the document. |
| Countermand | The general countermanded the earlier order. |
| Void | The agreement was declared void due to fraud. |
| Abrogate | The treaty was abrogated by mutual consent. |
| Repeal | The law was repealed by the legislature. |
| Rescind | The company rescinded its offer of employment. |
| Revoke | The driver’s license was revoked due to multiple violations. |
Restriction Examples
The following table provides examples using antonyms related to ‘restriction’. These examples demonstrate how these antonyms limit or control actions, contrasting with the allowance implied by ‘permit’.
| Antonym | Example Sentence |
|---|---|
| Restrict | The library restricts the number of books one can borrow. |
| Limit | The company will limit access to certain files. |
| Constrain | Financial difficulties constrain our ability to expand. |
| Curtail | The budget cuts will curtail our research activities. |
| Confine | The patient was confined to bed due to illness. |
| Circumscribe | The rules circumscribe the extent of our authority. |
| Control | The government controls the distribution of resources. |
| Regulate | The industry is heavily regulated by the government. |
| Moderate | We need to moderate our spending habits. |
| Inhibit | Fear can inhibit creativity. |
| Hinder | Lack of resources can hinder progress. |
| Impair | The injury impaired his ability to walk. |
| Encumber | Debt can encumber a company’s growth. |
| Check | The government needs to check the spread of misinformation. |
| Curb | We need to curb our energy consumption. |
| Stifle | The oppressive regime tried to stifle dissent. |
| Hamper | The storm hampered rescue efforts. |
| Throttle | The regulations throttle small businesses. |
| Restrain | The police had to restrain the suspect. |
| Suppress | The dictator tried to suppress any opposition. |
| Bridle | The need to bridle his temper was evident. |
| Tether | The dog was tethered to the post. |
| Muzzle | The government tried to muzzle the press. |
| Stint | They decided to stint on luxuries to save money. |
| Pinch | They had to pinch pennies to make ends meet. |
Prevention Examples
The following table provides examples using antonyms related to ‘prevention’. These examples show how these antonyms actively stop something from happening, contrasting with the allowance implied by ‘permit’.
| Antonym | Example Sentence |
|---|---|
| Prevent | Wearing a seatbelt can prevent serious injuries in a car accident. |
| Hinder | The heavy rain hindered our progress on the hike. |
| Obstruct | The fallen tree obstructed the road, causing a traffic jam. |
| Impede | Bureaucratic red tape can impede the progress of important projects. |
| Avert | Quick thinking can avert a disaster. |
| Preclude | The prior agreement precludes any further negotiation. |
| Forestall | Early intervention can forestall serious health problems. |
| Ward off | Wearing insect repellent can ward off mosquitoes. |
| Stave off | The government implemented measures to stave off an economic crisis. |
| Block | The defender managed to block the shot. |
| Stop | The police managed to stop the fleeing suspect. |
| Arrest | The police were able to arrest the spread of the virus. |
| Check | The government needs to check the rise in inflation. |
| Curb | We need to curb our spending habits. |
| Inhibit | Fear can inhibit people from taking risks. |
| Restrain | The police had to restrain the angry crowd. |
| Suppress | The government tried to suppress the rebellion. |
| Thwart | Their plans were thwarted by the weather. |
| Frustrate | The constant delays frustrated their efforts. |
| Counteract | The medicine helps to counteract the effects of the poison. |
| Neutralize | The bomb squad worked to neutralize the threat. |
| Defuse | The negotiator tried to defuse the tense situation. |
| Abolish | The law was abolished to prevent further injustice. |
| Terminate | The contract was terminated to prevent further losses. |
| Eliminate | The program was designed to eliminate poverty. |
Objection Examples
The following table provides examples using antonyms related to ‘objection’. These examples show how these antonyms express disapproval or opposition, contrasting with the allowance implied by ‘permit’.
| Antonym | Example Sentence |
|---|---|
| Object | I object to the proposed changes to the plan. |
| Oppose | Many citizens oppose the construction of the new highway. |
| Protest | Students protested against the tuition increase. |
| Decline | I must decline your invitation due to a prior engagement. |
| Refuse | She refused to cooperate with the investigation. |
| Reject | The committee rejected the proposal. |
| Deny | The company denied the allegations. |
| Rebuff | Her advances were rebuffed by him. |
| Repudiate | The candidate repudiated the claims made against him. |
| Dispute | The company disputed the charges. |
| Challenge | The lawyer decided to challenge the verdict. |
| Contest | The team decided to contest the referee’s decision. |
| Resist | The soldiers resisted the enemy’s advance. |
| Withstand | The building was designed to withstand earthquakes. |
| Counter | The lawyer had to counter the prosecution’s arguments. |
| Contravene | The action contravened the rules. |
| Negate | The evidence served to negate his claims. |
| Nullify | The court decided to nullify the contract. |
| Invalidate | The error invalidated the document. |
| Disallow | The referee disallowed the goal. |
| Veto | The president decided to veto the bill. |
| Overrule | The judge overruled the objection. |
| Override | The governor overrode the city council’s decision. |
| Reverse | The appellate court reversed the lower court’s decision. |
| Recant | The witness decided to recant his earlier testimony. |
Disapproval Examples
The following table provides examples using antonyms related to ‘disapproval’. These examples show how these antonyms indicate a negative opinion or sentiment, contrasting with the allowance implied by ‘permit’.
| Antonym | Example Sentence |
|---|---|
| Disapprove | My parents disapprove of my career choice. |
| Reject | The committee rejected the proposal. |
| Decline | I must decline your offer. |
| Veto | The president decided to veto the bill. |
| Condemn | The world leaders condemned the act of terrorism. |
| Denounce | The activist denounced the government’s policies. |
| Criticize | The reviewer criticized the movie for its poor acting. |
| Censure | The senator was censured by his colleagues for his unethical behavior. |
| Reprove | The teacher reproved the student for cheating. |
| Admonish | The coach admonished the team for their lack of effort. |
| Reprimand | The employee was reprimanded for his poor performance. |
| Berate | The boss berated the employee for making a mistake. |
| Scold | The mother scolded her child for misbehaving. |
| Chide | The father chided his son for not doing his homework. |
| Rebuke | The manager rebuked the staff for their unprofessional conduct. |
| Reproach | She reproached him for his carelessness. |
| Upbraid | The teacher upbraided the student for being disruptive. |
| Disparage | He tends to disparage his colleagues’ achievements. |
| Belittle | She tried to belittle his accomplishments. |
| Deprecate | He always deprecates his own efforts. |
| Deplore | The organization deplored the violence. |
| Lament | The community lamented the loss of their leader. |
| Regret | I regret my decision. |
| Rue | He will rue the day he made that choice. |
| Lament | The community lamented the destruction caused by the fire. |
Usage Rules for Antonyms of “Permit”
Using antonyms of “permit” correctly requires understanding the specific context and nuance you want to convey. Here are some key usage rules:
- Formality: Some antonyms, like “prohibit” and “interdict,” are more formal and suitable for legal or official contexts. Others, like “stop” and “block,” are more informal and appropriate for everyday conversation.
- Degree of Restriction: Consider the degree to which the action is being prevented. “Prohibit” and “ban” imply a complete stop, while “restrict” and “limit” suggest partial control.
- Active vs. Passive: Some antonyms, like “prevent,” imply an active effort to stop something, while others, like “disapprove,” simply express a negative opinion.
- Transitive vs. Intransitive: Ensure you use the correct grammatical structure. For example, “prohibit” is transitive and requires a direct object (e.g., “The law prohibits smoking”), while “object” can be intransitive (e.g., “I object”).
Understanding these rules will help you choose the most appropriate antonym for “permit” in any given situation.
Common Mistakes When Using Antonyms of “Permit”
Here are some common mistakes to avoid when using antonyms of “permit”:
| Incorrect | Correct | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| The rule permitted to smoke. | The rule prohibits smoking. | “Permitted” implies allowance, while “prohibits” correctly conveys the opposite. |
| I permit this idea. | I reject this idea. | “Permit” in this context should be replaced with “reject” to express disapproval. |
| The law allows not parking here. | The law forbids parking here. | Using “forbids” is a more direct and correct antonym for allowing parking. |
| They restricted to enter the building. | They restricted entry to the building. | The correct usage of “restrict” requires a noun, not an infinitive. |
| The rain permitted our picnic. | The rain prevented our picnic. | “Prevented” correctly conveys that the rain stopped the picnic from happening. |
| I disapprove to go. | I disapprove of going. | “Disapprove” requires the preposition “of” before the gerund. |
| She bans me to leave. | She forbids me to leave. | While “ban” is a valid antonym, “forbid” is more appropriate with the infinitive “to leave”. |
| The government restricts people speak freely. | The government restricts people from speaking freely. | The correct form is “restricts…from” followed by the gerund. |
By avoiding these common errors, you can ensure your usage of antonyms for “permit” is accurate and effective.
Practice Exercises
Test your understanding with these practice exercises. Choose the best antonym for “permit” in each sentence.
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| 1. The sign __________ parking in this area. (permits/prohibits) | prohibits |
| 2. The new regulations __________ smoking indoors. (allow/ban) | ban |
| 3. My parents __________ me from going to the concert. (permitted/forbade) | forbade |
| 4. The company __________ access to confidential information. (permits/restricts) | restricts |
| 5. The police __________ the protesters from blocking the street. (allowed/prevented) | prevented |
| 6. I __________ to the proposed changes. (permit/object) | object |
| 7. The teacher __________ of the student’s behavior. (approved/disapproved) | disapproved |
| 8. The law __________ the sale of alcohol to minors. (permits/outlaws) | outlaws |
| 9. The referee __________ the goal due to a foul. (allowed/disallowed) | disallowed |
| 10. The government __________ the media. (permits/censors) | censors |
| 11. The heavy rain __________ us from having the picnic. (permitted/prevented) | prevented |
| 12. Lack of funding can __________ the project’s progress. (permit/hinder) | hinder |
| 13. The court decided to __________ the contract. (permit/nullify) | nullify |
| 14. The president decided to __________ the bill. (permit/veto) | veto |
| 15. I __________ of his decision to quit his job. (approve/disapprove) | disapprove |
| 16. The new policy __________ employees from using social media during work hours. (allows/prohibits) | prohibits |
| 17. The security measures are designed to __________ unauthorized access. (permit/prevent) | prevent |
| 18. Many people __________ the use of plastic bags due to environmental concerns. (support/oppose) | oppose |
| 19. The school __________ students from bringing mobile phones to class. (allows/forbids) | forbids |
| 20. The new regulations will __________ the amount of pollution companies can release. (increase/limit) | limit |
Advanced Topics
For advanced learners, consider these more complex aspects:
- Figurative Language: Explore how antonyms of “permit” are used in metaphors and other figures of speech. For example, “stifling creativity” uses “stifle” metaphorically to mean preventing or suppressing.
- Synonyms and Nuances: Analyze the subtle differences between synonyms of antonyms. For instance, what is the difference between “restrict” and “constrain,” and when is each more appropriate?
- Historical Context: Investigate how the meanings and usage of these words have evolved over time. For example, the term “interdict” has a rich historical context in religious and legal settings.
Deepening your understanding of these advanced topics will further refine your ability to use antonyms of “permit” with precision and sophistication.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- What is the difference between “prohibit” and “restrict”?Prohibit means to completely forbid something, often by law. Restrict means to limit or control something, allowing it within certain boundaries. For example, a law might prohibit smoking in public places, while a library might restrict the number of books a person can borrow.
- When should I use “prevent” instead of “avoid”?Prevent implies taking action to stop something from happening. Avoid means to keep away from something. You prevent an accident by taking safety measures, but you avoid a traffic jam by taking a different route.
- Is “block” a formal or informal antonym of “permit”?Block is generally considered an informal antonym. It’s suitable for everyday conversation but might not be appropriate in formal legal or official contexts. In those cases, “prohibit” or “disallow” would be better choices.
- How can I improve my vocabulary of antonyms for “permit”?Read widely, use a thesaurus, and practice using new words in sentences. Pay attention to the context in which these words are used and try to incorporate them into your writing and speaking.
- What is the difference between “object” and “oppose”?Object typically refers to expressing disapproval or disagreement. Oppose suggests actively working against something. You might object to a suggestion in a meeting, but you would oppose a bill by voting against it.
- Can “permit” and its antonyms be used in a figurative sense?Yes, absolutely. For example, you might say that “stress can inhibit creativity” or that “fear can restrict someone’s potential.” These are figurative uses where the antonyms are applied to abstract concepts rather than concrete actions.
- How do I choose the right antonym for “permit” in a sentence?Consider the specific nuance you want to convey. Do you want to emphasize a complete ban (prohibit), a limitation (restrict), active prevention (prevent), or disapproval (object)? Choose the word that best fits the context and your intended meaning.
- Are there any regional differences in the usage of these antonyms?While the core meanings are generally consistent across English-speaking regions, some idiomatic expressions and specific connotations might vary. Pay attention to how native speakers in your region use these words.
Conclusion
Mastering the antonyms of “permit” is essential for enhancing your English vocabulary and improving your ability to communicate effectively. By understanding the nuances of words like “prohibit,” “restrict,” “prevent,” “object,” and “disapprove,” you can express a wider range of meanings and convey your ideas with greater precision.
Remember to consider the context, formality, and degree of restriction when choosing the appropriate antonym. Practice using these words in your writing and speaking to solidify your understanding and improve your fluency.
With consistent effort, you can confidently navigate the complexities of the English language and express yourself with clarity and accuracy.
Continue to explore new words and their antonyms to expand your vocabulary and refine your communication skills. The journey of language learning is ongoing, and every new word you learn brings you closer to fluency and mastery.