forbidding Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun an official prohibition or edict against something
    ban; forbiddance; banning.
  2. verb command against
    prohibit; forbid; proscribe; disallow; veto; nix; interdict.
    • I forbid you to call me late at night
    • Mother vetoed the trip to the chocolate store
    • Dad nixed our plans
  3. verb keep from happening or arising; make impossible
    forbid; prevent; preclude; foreclose; forestall.
    • My sense of tact forbids an honest answer
    • Your role in the projects precludes your involvement in the competitive project
  4. adjective satellite harshly uninviting or formidable in manner or appearance
    dour; grim.
    • a dour, self-sacrificing life
    • a forbidding scowl
    • a grim man loving duty more than humanity
    • undoubtedly the grimmest part of him was his iron claw"- J.M.Barrie
  5. adjective satellite threatening or foreshadowing evil or tragic developments
    minatory; minacious; sinister; threatening; baleful; ominous; menacing.
    • a baleful look
    • forbidding thunderclouds
    • his tone became menacing
    • ominous rumblings of discontent
    • sinister storm clouds
    • a sinister smile
    • his threatening behavior
    • ugly black clouds
    • the situation became ugly

WordNet

For*bid"ding adjective
Definitions
  1. Repelling approach; repulsive; raising abhorrence, aversion, or dislike; disagreeable; prohibiting or interdicting; as, a forbidding aspect; a forbidding formality; a forbidding air. Syn. -- Disagreeable; unpleasant; displeasing; offensive; repulsive; odious; abhorrent. -- For*bid"ding*ly, adv. -- For*bid"ding*ness, n.

Webster 1913