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 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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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
Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 21 June 2024
For months, housing market conditions in a handful of battleground counties have been slightly less forbidding than in the U.S. overall, according to NBC News’ Home Buyer Index, which measures the relative difficulty of buying a home from one county to the next nationwide.
—Shannon Pettypiece, NBC news, 22 Oct. 2024
Susanne Rust, Los Angeles Times, 5 Dec. 2024
Last month, the judge overseeing that case imposed a three-year injunction forbidding Google from a number of practices, such as the use of terms forcing app developers to use Google’s proprietary payment system for in-app billing.
—Brian Fung, CNN, 20 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for forbidding 
Adjective
Slowly, the color drains out of the image and the green frontier becomes a forbidding, black-and-white expanse.
—Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 21 June 2024
For months, housing market conditions in a handful of battleground counties have been slightly less forbidding than in the U.S. overall, according to NBC News’ Home Buyer Index, which measures the relative difficulty of buying a home from one county to the next nationwide.
—Shannon Pettypiece, NBC news, 22 Oct. 2024
Verb
Kennedy has been a vocal advocate for raw milk, and has criticized FDA policy forbidding interstate sales of the product.
—Susanne Rust, Los Angeles Times, 5 Dec. 2024
Last month, the judge overseeing that case imposed a three-year injunction forbidding Google from a number of practices, such as the use of terms forcing app developers to use Google’s proprietary payment system for in-app billing.
—Brian Fung, CNN, 20 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for forbidding
Recent Examples of Synonyms for forbidding
Adjective
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In its place is the Terran Empire, a brutal and colonizing force that encapsulates the terrifying darkness of this alternative world.—
Angelica Jade Bastién,
Vulture,
7 Feb. 2025
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Meanwhile, Irving spent the night venturing off on his own, falling asleep in the forest with terrifying hallucinations.—
Ethan Shanfeld,
Variety,
7 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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The track resonates with Belinda’s crystalline vocals, dynamic guitar riffs, and spirited trumpet interplays, while Tito’s distinctively gruff delivery adds grit to their musical escapade.—
Ingrid Fajardo,
Billboard,
17 Jan. 2025
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Resolved to continue on her trip for the sake of her son, Sara finds herself in a perilous situation, and is forced to lean on the elusive Issac Reed (Taylor Kitsch), a gruff recluse who lives on the outskirts of Ft. Bridger.—
Aramide Tinubu,
Variety,
9 Jan. 2025
Verb
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Smith, who is now winding down both his cases against the president-elect due to a longstanding Department of Justice policy prohibiting the prosecution of a sitting president, has not provided any details about the contents of his report.—
Katherine Faulders,
ABC News,
8 Jan. 2025
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That has prompted states including Colorado, New York and California to enact legislation prohibiting medical debt from being included on residents' credit reports or factored into their credit scores.—
Noam Levey,
NPR,
7 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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What ensues is an incredibly artful dance between frightening violence and slapstick humor that reveals both Ani’s inner steel and Igor’s integrity—two strong hooks into the film as a whole.—
Antonia Blyth,
Deadline,
4 Feb. 2025
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For someone living in that position, life can be frightening and overwhelming.—
Bahíyyah Maroon,
Orlando Sentinel,
1 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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The 6-foot-5 junior forward is an intimidating shot-blocker.—
Steve Millar,
Chicago Tribune,
6 Feb. 2025
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What was more intimidating, going into the house your first season or going into the Traitors castle? Going into the Traitors castle.—
Zoë Haylock,
Vulture,
6 Feb. 2025
Noun
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Louisiana ends prohibition on death penalty A De Soto Parish judge granted a death warrant Tuesday for 81-year-old Christopher Sepulvado to be executed on March 17 for the murder of his 6-year-old stepson in 1993.—
James Powel,
USA TODAY,
13 Feb. 2025
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The House also passed new rules that limit the amount of time each bill gets debated and how long lawmakers get to speak — in addition to a prohibition on visual aids.—
Duane W. Gang,
The Tennessean,
10 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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In any case, Spanberger could be a formidable opponent.—
Ross O'Keefe,
Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government,
14 Feb. 2025
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Driving the news: Berger has successfully staved off challengers for more than two decades, but Page could prove to be a formidable primary opponent should the two face off next year.—
Lucille Sherman,
Axios,
14 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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As Kirsten Cohen’s stern taskmaster of a father, Alan Dale was only supposed to have a brief appearance on The O.C.—
Sezin Devi Koehler,
EW.com,
8 Feb. 2025
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Sterling was all smiles for the photo, but the same couldn’t be said for Bronze, who gave the camera a stern look.—
Angel Saunders,
People.com,
8 Feb. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near forbidding
Cite this Entry
“Forbidding.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/forbidding. Accessed 21 Feb. 2025.
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