forbidden

1 of 2

adjective

for·​bid·​den fər-ˈbi-dᵊn How to pronounce forbidden (audio)
fȯr-
Synonyms of forbidden
1
: not permitted or allowed
2
: not conforming to the usual selection principles
—used of quantum phenomena
forbidden transition
forbidden radiation
forbidden spectral line

forbidden

2 of 2

past participle of forbid entry 1

Synonyms of forbidden

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Adjective

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Examples of forbidden in a Sentence

Adjective trespassing is forbidden
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Adjective
Their forbidden love leads the Jade Emperor to decree their separation on opposite sides of the Milky Way. — ABC News, 19 Aug. 2026 To control the dangerous unfettered use of magic, an oversight council established ground rules on what is considered forbidden magic and the knowledge of its existence. — Kalai Chik, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2026 Last November, both TMZ and CBS News reported alleged infractions, including being caught with homemade alcohol and trying to make a forbidden three-way phone call. — Cheyenne Roundtree, VIBE.com, 24 July 2026 More recently, mathematicians have been able to adapt Erdős’ method to get better estimates of Ramsey numbers where the forbidden cliques differ vastly in size. — Leila Sloman, Quanta Magazine, 26 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for forbidden

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of forbidden was in the 13th century

Phrases Containing forbidden

Browse Nearby Words

forbiddance
forbidden
Forbidden City
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Forbidden.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/forbidden. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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