forbidding

/fəˈbɪdɪŋ/ (bre, ipa) · /fərˈbɪdɪŋ/ (ame, ipa) · /fər-ˈbi-diŋ fȯr-/ (ame, mw)

forbidding — adjective

  • forbiddingpositive
  • more forbiddingcomparative
  • most forbiddingsuperlative

1. describes a person, place, or thing whose appearance or atmosphere seems hostile

1.形容詞B2
釋義

describes a person, place, or thing whose appearance or atmosphere seems hostile, severe, or dangerous, making you want to stay away or feel nervous.

例句

The headmaster's forbidding expression silenced the rowdy classroom in seconds.

forbidding expression — used of a person's face or look

A tall, forbidding wall of dark rock rose up in front of the hikers.

同義詞
  • menacing

    more directly suggests a sinister or evil intent, while 'forbidding' focuses on a cold, severe appearance

  • daunting

    stresses the discouraging effect of a challenge or task, not necessarily hostility

  • stern

    only used for people or rules; implies strictness without the sense of danger

  • threatening

    more explicitly predicts harm or trouble, whereas 'forbidding' describes a discouraging appearance

反義詞
  • welcoming

    opposite atmosphere — warm and inviting instead of cold and discouraging

  • inviting

    directly opposite in describing places or offers that attract rather than repel

用法筆記

Commonly describes a person's expression or appearance, but also used for places, landscapes, weather, and tasks that seem difficult or unpleasant. The focus is on the external impression or atmosphere, not on the person's inner character.

常見錯誤

❌The weather was very forbidding today' (when just meaning bad).
✅The sky looked forbidding with dark clouds gathering before the storm.
💡'forbidding' requires a sense of hostility or threat, not merely unpleasant conditions.