forbidden

adjective

for·​bid·​den fər-ˈbi-dᵊn 

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

Synonyms

• banned
• barred
• impermissible
• interdicted
• outlawed
• prohibited
• proscribed
• taboo
• tabu
• verboten

Examples of forbidden in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Her autobiographical practice tends to draw on life’s anxieties and forbidden desires. —Laura Newberry, Los Angeles Times, 14 Dec. 2023

The book contains the tropes romance readers love, like enemies to lovers and forbidden love (what's more forbidden than the sons of major political powers dating?), which are both major subcategories in the romance fiction genre. —Milan Polk, Men's Health, 14 Aug. 2023

The novel promises magic and forbidden love in a criminal underworld. —Katie Bowlby, Country Living, 29 July 2023

What follows is a story of vengeance, intrigue and forbidden love. —Clayton Davis, Variety, 17 May 2023

Image At the center of this novel is a forbidden forest that sits at the northern edge of a nameless town. —Gabino Iglesias, New York Times, 22 Feb. 2024

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

Word History

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing forbidden

• forbidden fruit