Synonyms for forbidding
- adjective
- noun
Most common
Definitions
- adj. 1
Appearing to be threatening, unfriendly or potentially unpleasant.
- n. 1
The act by which something is forbidden; a prohibition.
Forms
- Plural
- forbiddings → proscriptions, bannings, bans, taboos…
Example sentences
- strict Algeria has to relax its strict economic policies.
- threatening Tom's injuries aren't considered life-threatening.
- unpleasant He spoke about the unpleasant story for two hours.
- dour Tom's dour silence said more than any words could.
- dangerous You shouldn't have gone to such a dangerous place.
- uninviting The water in the pond was murky and uninviting.
Popularity over time
| Word | 1850 → 2019 | Trend |
|---|---|---|
| forbidding | steady | |
| strict | steady | |
| threatening | rising | |
| unpleasant | rising | |
| dour | rising | |
| dangerous | steady |
Use in printed books, per decade from 1850 to 2019.
By length
- 3 letters
- ban1, icy2
- 4 letters
- cold1, grim1, dour2
- 5 letters
- harsh1, stern1, taboo2, bleak1
- 6 letters
- severe2, strict1, frosty2, frigid2, odious3
- 7 letters
- banning2, ominous3, austere2, baleful2
- 8 letters
- sinister3, menacing3
- 9 letters
- dangerous3, offensive3, deterrent3, repulsive3, abhorrent3
- 10 letters
- unpleasant3, inhibition4, uninviting4
- 11 letters
- threatening3, prohibition4, prohibitory5, forbiddance
- 12 letters
- proscription3
The small number after each word is its number of syllables (icy2 = 2 syllables).