forbidden

adjective

for·​bid·​den fər-ˈbi-dᵊn How to pronounce forbidden (audio)
fȯr-
1
: not permitted or allowed
2
: not conforming to the usual selection principles
used of quantum phenomena
forbidden transition
forbidden radiation
forbidden spectral line

Examples of forbidden in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web This made our frantic encounters outside the confines of the building feel more forbidden and also more transactional. Hanif Abdurraqib, The New Yorker, 24 Feb. 2024 His pseudo soldiers will also be available to round-up leftie demonstrators or raid drag shows or burn forbidden books. Fred Grimm, Sun Sentinel, 12 Jan. 2024 Backpacks and cellphone conversations were absolutely forbidden. Harrison Smith, Washington Post, 14 Nov. 2023 There, Noah meets her new stepbrother Nick, and the two soon enter into a complicated and forbidden relationship. Tim Chan, Billboard, 21 Aug. 2023 Aside from the controversial lyrics to some of his songs, the performance seemed to only flirt with the forbidden, siding more with the fascination of those on the margins of society as opposed to openly reveling in the illegality. Sergio Burstein, Los Angeles Times, 23 July 2023 As one Barbie movie makes a box office fortune in the coming weeks, carve out a little time for its forbidden predecessor. Chris Vognar, Rolling Stone, 20 July 2023 Many of these databases, which began appearing online around 2008, originated in Russia, which has a long tradition of sharing forbidden books, according to the magazine Reason. Michelle Cheng, Quartz, 10 July 2023 Their mutual attraction looks more forbidden in the daylight hours. Lovia Gyarkye, The Hollywood Reporter, 22 June 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'forbidden.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of forbidden was in the 13th century

Dictionary Entries Near forbidden

Cite this Entry

“Forbidden.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/forbidden. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

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