forbidding

[ fer-bid-ing, fawr- ]

adjective

1. grim; unfriendly; hostile; sinister:

   his forbidding countenance.

2. dangerous; threatening:

   forbidding clouds; forbidding cliffs.

forbidding

/ fəˈbɪdɪŋ /

adjective

1. hostile or unfriendly
2. dangerous or ominous

Derived Forms

• forˈbiddingly, adverb
• forˈbiddingness, noun

Other Word Forms

• for·bidding·ly adverb
• for·bidding·ness noun
• unfor·bidding adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of forbidding¹

First recorded in 1710–15; forbid + -ing ²

Example Sentences

But the Writers Guild of America West issued an advisory Wednesday forbidding its members from working on the film.

From Los Angeles Times

The PhD candidate was moved from Massachusetts to the southern state despite a judge's order forbidding her rendition.

From Salon

Lesotho is completely encircled by South Africa, but separated by the forbidding mountain ranges.

From BBC

Of course, the biggest of the lessons learned should have been to honor the laws, both domestic and international, forbidding torture.

From Salon

Moreover, the judges noted, forbidding the use of chemicals that carry a minute risk of cancer might prompt manufacturers to use compounds that are more toxic, albeit in noncancerous ways.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• frightening
• grim
• menacing
• off-putting
• sinister
• threatening