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Nobody but guards on duty were allowed inside the building itself and outsiders were blank from the compound altogether.

The only words I can think of for blank are barred or forbidden to enter both of which sound a little too formal. Any advice?

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4 Answers 4

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...outsides were blocked from entering the compound altogether.

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...outsiders were excluded from the compound...

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Restricted. Prohibited. A less formal construction might be, "Outsiders couldn't even get onto the compound, let alone into the building, where only guards on duty were allowed."

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  • I was going to comment against OP that I didn't really think barred was particularly formal anyway, but I can't deny this alternative has a much more informal tone.
    – FumbleFingers
    Apr 1, 2011 at 17:22
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  • 'prevented' - "They were prevented from entering the building" (a little bit formal)

  • 'kept' - "They were kept from entering the building" (very straightforward, not formal, not particularly informal, very plain though)

  • 'stopped from entering' - also very plain. (implies though a little bit more active intervention maybe as opposed to just say a fence)

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