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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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.
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
Abby Hamblin, San Diego Union-Tribune, 30 Dec. 2025
Despite its forbidding appearance, the building is now a cultural centre.
—James Medd, Condé Nast Traveler, 25 Dec. 2025
Susan Page, USA Today, 4 Nov. 2025
Miami Herald Archives, Miami Herald, 27 Mar. 2026
Before Mayor Hidalgo’s arrival at Paris City Hall, the city’s Place de la Bastille was a roaring, largely treeless car carousel that was forbidding to pedestrians.
—Marie Patino, Bloomberg, 20 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for forbidding
Adjective
The hike out to it is one of San Diego County’s most famous, and most forbidding.
—Abby Hamblin, San Diego Union-Tribune, 30 Dec. 2025
Despite its forbidding appearance, the building is now a cultural centre.
—James Medd, Condé Nast Traveler, 25 Dec. 2025
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
Gone are most of the elements of the earlier plans, among them the berms that would have run along Biscayne Boulevard creating a walled park, a closed and forbidding space in a fearful city.
—Miami Herald Archives, Miami Herald, 27 Mar. 2026
Before Mayor Hidalgo’s arrival at Paris City Hall, the city’s Place de la Bastille was a roaring, largely treeless car carousel that was forbidding to pedestrians.
—Marie Patino, Bloomberg, 20 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for forbidding
Recent Examples of Synonyms for forbidding
Adjective
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What was John thinking before the surface of the water appeared before his windshield, rushing forward at terrifying speed?—
Jeffrey Eugenides,
New Yorker,
4 Apr. 2026
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As The Boys presents a terrifying dystopia under Homelander (Antony Starr) in the fifth and final season, Eric Kripke recently noted that any narrative similarities to our current dystopia are purely coincidental.—
Glenn Garner,
Deadline,
4 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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In hindsight, the audition for that beloved late-night sketch-comedy series was the most intimidating thing she's ever done.—
Nick Romano,
Entertainment Weekly,
9 Apr. 2026
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Caracas Bakery will be open on the first floor during the day for breakfast and lunch, in a comfortable and relaxed setting that’s somewhat less intimidating than its neighboring luxury restaurant.—
Connie Ogle
April 8,
Miami Herald,
8 Apr. 2026
Verb
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New Jersey’s legislation prohibiting customers from pumping their own gas dates back to 1949.—
Laura Kiniry,
Popular Science,
9 Apr. 2026
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Some indoor leagues restrict footwear, often prohibiting metal studs or outdoor cleats, while others differ on whether shin guards are mandatory.—
Julia King,
Denver Post,
8 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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How about the less-frightening scenarios?—
Craig MacLellan,
Boston Herald,
3 Apr. 2026
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Now, parents who haven’t experienced the frightening effects of the highly contagious and fast-moving infection are increasingly opting out of vaccinating their kids against Hib.—
Erika Edwards,
NBC news,
2 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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As Liborio, an orphan who risked his life to cross the border and ended up living in the attic of a bookstore thanks to the kindness of the gruff owner, Chief (Eddie Marsan), the actor plays a narrator who consistently breaks the fourth wall.—
Carlos Aguilar,
Variety,
18 Mar. 2026
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As Woody Harrelson detailed Harrison Ford's accomplishments from the Actors Awards stage, the famously gruff actor seemed to squirm in his seat, somehow uncomfortable with praise even at the age of 83.—
Eve Batey,
Vanity Fair,
2 Mar. 2026
Noun
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China, though, has never acknowledged that a prohibition exists.—
Ken Moritsugu,
Fortune,
10 Apr. 2026
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Notably, the current administration has also made enforcing Students for Fair Admissions’ prohibition on discrimination in education a high priority.—
Alison Somin,
Oc Register,
10 Apr. 2026
Verb
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While many of the California laws banning the political use of public office are civil statutes, one is a criminal statute.—
Will Swaim,
Oc Register,
6 Apr. 2026
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Colorado just enacted the nation’s first law banning arrests based solely on the results of colorimetric drug tests – a field test widely used by law enforcement across the country.—
Holly Yan,
CNN Money,
5 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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In my view, the key obstacle to creating future generations of nonsmokers is that people do not fully understand how dangerous smoking is and do not realize the formidable influence of the tobacco industry.—
Marie Helweg-Larsen,
The Conversation,
10 Apr. 2026
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Motivated Mars activates your 6th House of Well-being as of today, motivating you to reconfigure routines and direct your formidable focus toward the tasks that truly count.—
Tarot.com,
New York Daily News,
9 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Forbidding.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/forbidding. Accessed 11 Apr. 2026.
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