1
as in terrifying
causing fear
a dark, forbidding house, that is reputed to be haunted
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2
as in gruff
harsh and threatening in manner or appearance
told us in a forbidding voice to stop calling him by that name
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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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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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Examples Sentences
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Recent Examples of forbidding
Clive Thompson, WIRED, 29 July 2024
The families that make the forbidding journey to Dadaab, one of the world’s largest refugee camps, see it as a transition or gateway to something better, even though most will go on to live their whole lives there.
—Rael Ombuor, Washington Post, 6 June 2024
Chris Dobstaff, Forbes, 14 Oct. 2024
This means that most banks and payment processors have policies forbidding them to work with pot providers.
—Will Yakowicz, Forbes, 13 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for forbidding 
Adjective
This back-and-forth dance with the machine made the whole process of coding less forbidding.
—Clive Thompson, WIRED, 29 July 2024
The families that make the forbidding journey to Dadaab, one of the world’s largest refugee camps, see it as a transition or gateway to something better, even though most will go on to live their whole lives there.
—Rael Ombuor, Washington Post, 6 June 2024
Verb
Good morning, Even though marijuana is legal in 38 states, the drug’s status at the federal level means most banks and payment processors have policies forbidding them from working with cannabis companies.
—Chris Dobstaff, Forbes, 14 Oct. 2024
This means that most banks and payment processors have policies forbidding them to work with pot providers.
—Will Yakowicz, Forbes, 13 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for forbidding
Recent Examples of Synonyms for forbidding
Adjective
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The paranormal phenomena spooking Spongebob and Squidward has a mundane explanation, but the entity flickering the lights turns out to be none other than Nosferatu, who reassures them with a terrifying smile; amusingly, Spongebob and Squidward are relieved to see him.Dani Di Placido, Forbes, 13 Dec. 2024
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In the early hours of New Year's Day 2021 in Canton, Georgia, Morgan Metzer was awakened to a terrifying sight.Michael Loftus, CBS News, 13 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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After a long bout of gruff banter, Frank gets personal, invoking his dead son, Joseph.Wesley Stenzel, EW.com, 14 Dec. 2024
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The actress uncovers enough credibility in the character to withstand the syrupy sports drama’s conventions, offsetting the gruff Eastwoodisms on which the film is built. 19.Matthew Jacobs, Vulture, 6 Dec. 2024
Verb
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In 2021, Attorney General Merrick Garland implemented new policies prohibiting prosecutors from secretly seizing reporters' records, except under extraordinary circumstances.Joseph Epstein, Newsweek, 10 Dec. 2024
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The legislation also weakens the authority of the governor to fill vacancies on the state court of appeals and the state Supreme Court, while prohibiting the attorney general from taking legal positions contrary to the Legislature’s.Gary Fields, Los Angeles Times, 8 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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That Daniel Penny acted to defend others from a frightening figure on the train was of no legal relevance, from the prosecution’s point of view, given that Neely did not have a weapon or threaten a specific passenger directly.Adam Iscoe, The New Yorker, 9 Dec. 2024
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However, Humbert decided to go it alone and ended up being the victim of quite a frightening shark attack.Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 7 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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Only six years older than Crystal, the comedian still found Scorsese intimidating.Lester Fabian Brathwaite, EW.com, 16 Dec. 2024
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But what’s really intimidating is looking at his size-21 shoes.Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 8 Dec. 2024
Noun
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Both countries recently announced prohibitions on exports of those materials to one another.Melvin Backman, Quartz, 10 Dec. 2024
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Illinois passed its legacy admission prohibition in August, following Maryland, which enacted a legacy admission ban in April that applies to both public and private colleges.Michael T. Nietzel, Forbes, 8 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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The Chiefs also have rookie Xavier Worthy, but the team needs another receiver on par with Hopkins to ensure the offense stays formidable.Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 12 Dec. 2024
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The designer leaned into his formidable cutting skills and theatrical bent, designing with high-tech fabrications that interact with smartphones, with foam-like materials, and experimenting in garment reconfiguration.Miles Socha, WWD, 11 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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Eldest children may create stern rules for their kids, such as a chore chart and strict bedtime routines.Alex Vance, Parents, 9 Dec. 2024
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The speaker of the National Assembly read a stern statement on camera demanding that the president hold off a visit to the National Assembly until security matters are ironed out.Joohee Cho, ABC News, 7 Dec. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near forbidding
Cite this Entry
“Forbidding.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/forbidding. Accessed 22 Dec. 2024.
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