Definition

1. Verb:
   • To officially or legally exclude or prevent someone from entering a place, participating in an activity, or having a right or privilege. This is the primary meaning, focusing on formal prohibition or exclusion.
   • To hinder or prevent something from happening. This sense focuses on stopping an event or action.

Usage and Examples

• Verb (to exclude/prevent):

  • The judge's ruling will debar the company from bidding on government contracts for five years.
  • A history of academic dishonesty can debar a student from certain scholarship programs.
  • The new security policy debars anyone without proper identification.

• Verb (to hinder/prevent an event):

  • The diplomatic agreement was designed to debar future conflicts between the two nations.
  • Careful planning can debar many common problems in a project.

Advanced Usage and Nuances

• Legal/Formal Context: "Debar" is often used in official, legal, or institutional contexts (e.g., government, professional bodies, universities) rather than casual conversation. It implies an authority imposing the exclusion.
  • The lawyer was debarred from practicing after being found guilty of misconduct.
• "Debar from": The verb is almost always followed by the preposition "from" when specifying what is being prohibited.
  • The athlete was debarred from competition. (Correct)
  • The athlete was debarred competition. (Incorrect)

Variants and Related Words

• Debarment (noun): The act of debarring or the state of being debarred.
  • The debarment of the supplier was a significant blow to their business.
• Bar (verb): A more common synonym, but often less formal. "Debar" can imply a more official or legal action.
• Disbar (verb): Specifically refers to expelling a lawyer from the legal profession.
  • He was disbarred for unethical behavior.

Synonyms

• Exclude: To shut or keep out.
• Prohibit: To formally forbid by law, rule, or other authority.
• Ban: To officially or legally prohibit.
• Preclude: To prevent from happening; make impossible.
• Disqualify: To declare ineligible or unfit.

Antonyms

• Admit: To allow entry or access.
• Include: To comprise or contain as part of a whole.
• Permit: To give authorization or consent to.
• Allow: To let someone do something; to give permission.

Related Phrases and Constructions

• To debar someone from doing something: The standard construction for expressing prohibition of an action.
  • The contract debars the employee from working for a competitor for one year after leaving.
• To be debarred from: The passive voice form is frequently used.
  • She was debarred from holding public office.

Verb

1. prevent from entering; keep out
   • He was barred from membership in the club
2. prevent the occurrence of; prevent from happening
   • Let's avoid a confrontation
   • head off a confrontation
   • avert a strike
3. bar temporarily; from school, office, etc.