forbidden fruit

[fer-bid-n froot, fawr-bid-n] / fərˈbɪd n ˈfrut, fɔrˈbɪd n /

NOUN

immoral indulgence

Synonyms

WEAK

desired object forbidden indulgence golden apple illegal indulgence illegal pleasure illicit love immoral pleasure no-no prohibited article prohibition taboo

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Prof Przybylski is concerned about arguments for limiting devices or even banning them - and believes that the more rigidly screen time is policed, the more of a "forbidden fruit" it could become.

From BBC • Jul. 30, 2025

This may be due to a "forbidden fruit" effect, which could make potentially aversive material more tempting to viewers.

From Science Daily • Oct. 12, 2023

In every version of the story, Eve ate the forbidden fruit first.

From Salon • Jun. 8, 2023

As the story’s many twists expose Daisy and Craig for who they really are, they come to understand that once the worm turns, the forbidden fruit isn’t quite so appealing.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 25, 2023

She still did lip service to the old ways, while herself nibbling away at forbidden fruit.

From "How the García Girls Lost Their Accents" by Julia Alvarez