debar
C2Formal/Legal/Administrative
Definition
Meaning
to officially or legally exclude or prohibit someone from doing something or entering a place.
To formally prevent an action, participation, or entry; to bar someone from a right, privilege, or opportunity, often through a legal or official ruling.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
"Debar" implies a formal, official, or legal exclusion, often based on rules or authority. It is more formal and specific than 'ban' or 'prevent'. Often used in passive constructions. Can be confused with 'disbar', which is specific to lawyers.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Usage is very similar. 'Debar' is relatively rare in both varieties, but might appear slightly more in British administrative or legal contexts (e.g., 'debarred from tendering').
Connotations
In both, it carries connotations of officialdom, authority, and serious consequence. No significant difference in connotation.
Frequency
Low frequency in both. Possibly marginally more recognisable in British English due to historical use in official documents.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[debar + object + from + noun/gerund][be debarred + from + noun/gerund]Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None directly associated”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Used in procurement: 'Companies found guilty of corruption may be debarred from future government contracts.'
Academic
Used in discussions of law, ethics, or institutional rules: 'The regulations debar individuals with a conflict of interest from voting.'
Everyday
Rare. Might be used humorously or hyperbolically: 'My diet debars me from eating cake.'
Technical
Used in legal, financial regulatory, and professional disciplinary contexts.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The club's rules debar anyone under 18 from membership.
- He was debarred from acting as a company director for five years.
- The new legislation will debar suppliers who violate ethical guidelines.
American English
- The court order debars the defendant from contacting the plaintiff.
- The SEC can debar fraudulent brokers from the industry.
- His criminal record debarred him from obtaining a security clearance.
adverb
British English
- No standard adverb form.
American English
- No standard adverb form.
adjective
British English
- There is no common adjective form for 'debar'. Use 'debarred' as a participial adjective: 'a debarred supplier'.
American English
- There is no common adjective form for 'debar'. Use 'debarred' as a participial adjective: 'debarred individuals'.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The school debars students from exams if fees are not paid.
- His visa status debarred him from working.
- The committee voted to debar the athlete from competition for using illegal substances.
- A history of malpractice can debar a doctor from practicing.
- The World Bank maintains a list of firms debarred from its funded projects due to fraud.
- The judge's ruling effectively debarred the media from publishing certain details of the case.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a BAR at a door. DEBAR means to put a 'bar' (blockage) 'DE' (down/away) to keep someone out officially.
Conceptual Metaphor
EXCLUSION IS PHYSICAL BARRIER / LAW IS A GATEKEEPER.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with "disbar" (лишить адвокатской лицензии). "Debar" is broader. Avoid using the cognate "дебары" – it doesn't exist. The closest common translation is "лишать права" or "отстранять" in formal contexts.
Common Mistakes
- Confusing 'debar' with 'disbar' (for lawyers).
- Using 'debar' in casual contexts where 'ban' or 'stop' is better.
- Incorrect preposition: 'debar to do something' (correct: 'debar from doing').
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following sentences uses 'debar' correctly?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Not exactly. 'Debar' is more formal and specific, implying an official or legal exclusion based on authority or rules. 'Ban' is more general.
'Disbar' is specifically about revoking a lawyer's license to practice. 'Debar' is a broader term for officially excluding someone from any right, privilege, or activity.
It is very uncommon and sounds overly formal or humorous in informal speech. Words like 'ban', 'stop', or 'keep out' are more natural.
The passive pattern '[Someone] is debarred from [something/doing something]' is very common. The active pattern is '[An authority] debars [someone] from [something/doing something]'.