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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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
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 In the nineteen-forties, the American Federation of Musicians fought for higher royalty rates by going on strike, forbidding its members from making new commercial recordings for more than two years. — Kelefa Sanneh, New Yorker, 31 Aug. 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
  • Fifty years ago, scientists pioneering a terrifying gene-splicing technology figured out a way to collectively hit pause.
    — Nick Fountain, NPR, 14 Oct. 2026
  • Don’t worry, the breakdown starts in a hurry and Cardellini is terrifying, if perhaps not as sympathetic as the series requires long-term.
    — Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 13 Oct. 2026
Definition of terrifying
Adjective
  • The result is a more intimidating cousin of last season’s leopard obsession, with enough personality to make even the simplest outfit look considerably more interesting.
    — Camila Quimper, Footwear News, 13 Oct. 2026
  • Eli Manning spent 16 seasons staring down some of the NFL's most intimidating defensive players.
    — Amber Harding OutKick, FOXNews.com, 13 Oct. 2026
Definition of intimidating
Noun
  • There has been a tradition of state executions allowing a handful of journalists to witness executions, including in Texas, but with a prohibition on photos and video.
    — Ted Johnson, Deadline, 9 Oct. 2026
  • The restriction adds an unusual dimension to AI safety rules, placing mistreatment of chatbots alongside prohibitions on harassment and other harmful conduct.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of prohibition
Verb
  • Others have more broad statutes prohibiting any kind of intimidating behavior.
    — Danielle Friedman, The Conversation, 8 Oct. 2026
  • Newsom last week signed Assembly Bill 2595, which allows San Mateo County to adopt a temporary ordinance prohibiting children younger than 12 from riding Class 1 or Class 2 e-bikes.
    — Madison Smalstig, Sacbee.com, 7 Oct. 2026
Definition of prohibiting
Adjective
  • Doyle has played all kinds of frightening characters in his five years at Markoff's.
    — Ayesha Rascoe, NPR, 11 Oct. 2026
  • The trailer for the movie, which includes a particularly frightening jump scare from Chastain as Other Mommy, went viral online after playing in front of theatrical screenings.
    — Jordan Moreau, Variety, 9 Oct. 2026
Definition of frightening
Adjective
  • Over three decades in stand-up comedy, Bill Burr has gained a reputation for saying, with gruff conviction and political fire, the thing on everyone’s mind.
    — Ethan Shanfeld, Variety, 9 Oct. 2026
  • We were taught by a gruff cockney called Fred Waring, who had participated in the D-Day landings in a regiment that had fought its way across Europe towards Berlin and liberated the concentration camp at Belsen.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 21 Sep. 2026
Definition of gruff
Noun
  • 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
  • Trump’s strong reactions may relate to his recent banning of CNN, MS NOW and Politico from the White House — a rash action that was stopped by a federal judge last week.
    — Brian Stelter, CNN Money, 1 Oct. 2026
Definition of banning
Verb
  • 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
  • It was modeled on a law that the Nevada state legislature passed in 2021, outlawing the use of Colorado River water on ornamental grass and commercial, government and homeowners association properties in places like Las Vegas.
    — Paul Rogers, Chicago Tribune, 8 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 16 Oct. 2026.

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