forbidding 1 of 3

adjective

fər-ˈbi-diŋ How to pronounce forbidding (audio)
Definition of forbiddingnext
1
as in terrifying
causing fear a dark, forbidding house, that is reputed to be haunted

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in intimidating
harsh and threatening in manner or appearance told us in a forbidding voice to stop calling him by that name

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forbidding

2 of 3

noun

as in prohibiting
the act of ordering that something not be done or used the landlord's forbidding of loud music after 10:00 p.m.

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forbidding

3 of 3

verb

present participle of forbid
as in banning
to order not to do or use or to be done or used smoking is forbidden throughout the building we forbid you to see him

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of forbidding
Adjective
His prose is equally forbidding—dense and abstract, in the long tradition of German philosophy. — Adam Kirsch, The Atlantic, 3 May 2026 Meanwhile, the windswept moors feel like something out of a classic thriller, forbidding and alluring at once. — Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 16 Feb. 2026
Noun
But Cheney rarely tried to combat the image painted by critics and comedians of him as a dour partisan, dark and forbidding. — Susan Page, USA Today, 4 Nov. 2025
Verb
The filmmaker contrasts her bucolic nature scenes with shots of the giant ships passing by and the interiors and exteriors of the factories located near the island, belching smoke and lit up at night like a forbidding theme park. — Frank Scheck, HollywoodReporter, 17 Sep. 2026 Some saw the other cheaters get away with it and concluded the prompt forbidding cheating had no teeth—that there wouldn’t be any punishment for cheating. — Jeremy Kahn, Fortune, 8 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for forbidding
Recent Examples of Synonyms for forbidding
  1. terrifying
  2. intimidating
  3. prohibition
  4. prohibiting
  5. frightening
  6. gruff
  7. banning
  8. outlawing
Adjective
  • The blistering one-way run is strangely terrifying from the near silent cockpit as the highway lamps flash past.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 11 Nov. 2026
  • In Lima, and especially in the regions, terrifying scenes unfolded outside hospitals, with sick people collapsing in the street due to the shortage of oxygen, one of the key tools for treating the virus.
    — Claudia Rebaza, CNN Money, 11 Nov. 2026
Definition of terrifying
Adjective
  • The goal is to make car maintenance less intimidating and give people the confidence to recognize what their vehicles need in a safe space.
    — Beret Leone, CBS News, 10 Nov. 2026
  • Mix the unique transmission with that generation Vantage’s most intimidating looks, and you’re left with a car overflowing with bravado.
    — Will Sabel Courtney, Robb Report, 30 Oct. 2026
Definition of intimidating
Noun
  • Congress must preserve research funding and extend that prohibition.
    — Carole LaBonne, Washington Post, 8 Nov. 2026
  • Protesters in France are continuing to demonstrate in Paris and across the nation despite police prohibitions on gatherings in the capital.
    — Robert McGreevy, FOXNews.com, 7 Nov. 2026
Definition of prohibition
Verb
  • Democratic leaders are being called in this moment to prioritize legislation on healthcare, taxes, tariffs and, yes, prohibiting the use of American money, technology and weapons for Israeli war crimes.
    — Zainab Chaudry, Baltimore Sun, 7 Nov. 2026
  • Six games were forfeited by the Gauchos in 2024 and their coach at the time, Jacob Rincon, was suspended for breaking rules prohibiting undue influence and athletically motivated transfers.
    — Steve Henson, Los Angeles Times, 6 Nov. 2026
Definition of prohibiting
Adjective
  • The frightening part is that almost anyone can end up on the wrong side of these systems.
    — Edward Longe, Washington Post, 2 Nov. 2026
  • Sussman remembers the 1999 Glastonbury Festival as both frightening and unforgettable.
    — Maribeth Romslo, Rolling Stone, 1 Nov. 2026
Definition of frightening
Adjective
  • The two-time Oscar winner wrote in his upcoming memoir, Look at Me, that Nichols was gruff in their interactions.
    — Raechal Shewfelt, Entertainment Weekly, 2 Nov. 2026
  • Loneliness looms as a threat to all genders, but men, who are lauded for gruff stoicism and scorned for vulnerability, can be especially ill-equipped to navigate atomization.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 26 Oct. 2026
Definition of gruff
Noun
  • The measures include the banning and blocking certain features for users younger than 16.
    — Dade Hayes, Deadline, 21 Oct. 2026
  • The 20th century text is updated with notes on cyberbullying, viral videos , school shootings, conspiracy thinking, conservative populism, book banning and even beer pong.
    — Robert Lloyd, Los Angeles Times, 6 Oct. 2026
Definition of banning
Verb
  • Arkansas and Tennessee passed laws outlawing joint ownership of PBMs and retail drug stores.
    — Business Columnist, Los Angeles Times, 6 Nov. 2026
  • After the Supreme Court ruling outlawing affirmative action, civil rights groups filed a federal complaint challenging Harvard’s legacy and donor preferences.
    — Jayson Weingarten, Fortune, 26 Sep. 2026
Definition of outlawing

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Cite this Entry

“Forbidding.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/forbidding. Accessed 15 Nov. 2026.

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