1
as in terrifying
causing fear
a dark, forbidding house, that is reputed to be haunted
Synonyms & Similar Words
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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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of forbidding
George Avalos, Mercury News, 7 Feb. 2026
Just hearing how dangerous and forbidding K2 is can give you a chill (and the cold is part of it — even at base camp, the temperatures can reach 50 below).
—Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 22 Jan. 2026
Susan Page, USA Today, 4 Nov. 2025
Frank Landymore, Futurism, 30 Apr. 2026
As far as forbidding a hairstyle in general goes, Silva sort of gets it.
—Elizabeth Gulino, Allure, 28 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for forbidding
Adjective
California’s booming economy is one of the world’s largest, but a peek behind the curtain exposes the forbidding reality of a statewide job market that is ranked as one of the nation’s worst.
—George Avalos, Mercury News, 7 Feb. 2026
Just hearing how dangerous and forbidding K2 is can give you a chill (and the cold is part of it — even at base camp, the temperatures can reach 50 below).
—Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 22 Jan. 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
OpenAI leaned into the curious habit, choosing to highlight the goblin-forbidding prompt in a tweet.
—Frank Landymore, Futurism, 30 Apr. 2026
As far as forbidding a hairstyle in general goes, Silva sort of gets it.
—Elizabeth Gulino, Allure, 28 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for forbidding
Recent Examples of Synonyms for forbidding
Adjective
-
For Orlo Vista residents, the disaster unfolded with terrifying speed.—
Greg Bennett,
The Orlando Sentinel,
24 May 2026
-
Nicholls opened Rockwater not long after Cyclone Pam, a terrifying storm that churned through Vanuatu and inflicted $600 million in damage.—
Christopher Elliott,
Forbes.com,
23 May 2026
Adjective
-
When safety is embedded into the workplace culture, changing regulations become less intimidating because the organization is already oriented around protecting people.—
John F. McQuillan,
Forbes.com,
26 May 2026
-
The context makes their league triumph all the more impressive and all the more intimidating.—
Megan Feringa,
New York Times,
17 May 2026
Verb
-
In Miami-Dade, Bal Harbour passed an ordinance prohibiting poor doors.—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
28 May 2026
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The agreement also eliminates export restrictions and import duties on raw materials, while prohibiting export monopolies and banning dual pricing on these inputs, to help secure the bloc’s access to critical minerals.—
Glenn Taylor,
Footwear News,
27 May 2026
Adjective
-
Nate was a compelling, complex antagonist for Euphoria’s first two seasons, but this season has seen the man brutalized by frightening criminals who make his mind games look like child’s play.—
Dani Di Placido,
Forbes.com,
25 May 2026
-
But that only made things slightly less frightening.—
Shania Russell,
Entertainment Weekly,
25 May 2026
Adjective
-
Her ex, Karl (Jake Johnson, impressively devoid of his signature gruff charm), wants to move their adorable daughter, Hazel (Nola Wallace), from New York to Boise with his new partner, Mallory (Jessy Hodges), a polished grown-up who makes the bohemian Paula feel like a mess.—
Judy Berman,
Time,
20 May 2026
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But the grizzled former Man in Black and man-who-failed-to-ground-Maverick isn’t known for playing the type of gruff ol’ cowpoke who’s about to break into song.—
Ben Travers,
IndieWire,
14 May 2026
Noun
-
For communities most affected by cannabis criminalization, the financial relief flowing to licensed operators represents a specific industry reform, not a broader resolution of prohibition’s legacy.—
Javier Hasse,
Forbes.com,
22 May 2026
-
The Senate bill included a temporary prohibition through 2030 rather than a permanent ban, which some conservative lawmakers supported.—
Claire Carter,
The Washington Examiner,
20 May 2026
Verb
-
Activist Qutb Hendricks called on the South African government to pressure Israel by banning the sale of coal and other supplies to the country.—
Mogomotsi Magome,
Los Angeles Times,
23 May 2026
-
California and Massachusetts are among the states with the most stringent rules, banning short-term plans and requiring clear warnings to people considering a healthcare sharing ministry in certain circumstances.—
Sarah Kwon,
CBS News,
20 May 2026
Adjective
-
The reigning Super Bowl MVP was brought aboard as the Chiefs look to reestablish a formidable, dangerous run game.—
Pete Sweeney
May 22,
Kansas City Star,
22 May 2026
-
Pitt nabbed the iconic part, which Clooney wasn't thrilled about, but what followed was a formidable friendship that has continued on- and off-screen.—
Stephanie Sengwe,
PEOPLE,
22 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Forbidding.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/forbidding. Accessed 29 May. 2026.
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