forbidding

play

adjective for·bid·ding \ fər-ˈbi-diŋ , fȯr- \

Definition of forbidding

1 :such as to make approach or passage difficult or impossible

forbidding walls

2 :disagreeable, repellent

a forbidding task

3 :grim, menacing

a dark forbidding sky

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forbiddingly

play \fər-ˈbi-diŋ-lē, fȯr-\ adverb

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Examples of forbidding in a Sentence

a harsh and forbidding landscape
a dark, forbidding house, that is reputed to be haunted

Recent Examples of forbidding from the Web

Shelly Island came to the nation’s attention about two months ago and has become known for being mysterious and forbidding, including news on July 14 that a World War II-era military training device washed up on shore.

— mark price, charlotteobserver, "NASA satellite images show how NC’s new island was born," 20 July 2017
With daytime temperatures reaching 55 degrees Celsius, and dunes taller than 330 meters, the desert may be one of the most forbidding places on Earth.

— brian romans, WIRED, "Beautiful Sand Dunes of the Rub’ al Khali Desert," 2 Feb. 2011

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'forbidding.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.