variants
or less commonly tabu
1
a
: banned on grounds of morality or taste
the subject is taboo
b
: banned as constituting a risk
the area beyond is taboo, still alive with explosives—
Robert Leckie
Robert Leckie2
: forbidden to profane use or contact because of what are held to be dangerous supernatural powers
variants
or less commonly tabu
plural taboos also tabus
1
a
: a prohibition imposed by social custom or as a protective measure
… they may have developed a taboo against eating fish.—Jared Diamond
Jared Diamond
b
: something that is not acceptable to say, mention, or do : something that is taboo
… the tacticians in a conservative Republican Administration now deem membership in the club a taboo.—Peter J. Boyer
Peter J. Boyer2
: a prohibition against touching, saying, or doing something for fear of immediate harm from a supernatural force
3
: belief in taboos
variants
or less commonly tabu
tabooed also tabued; tabooing also tabuing; taboos also tabus
1
: to set apart as taboo especially by marking with a ritualistic symbol
2
: to avoid or ban as taboo
Synonyms
Examples of taboo in a Sentence
Adjective
Sex is a taboo subject for many people.
In this company, dating a coworker is considered taboo.
Noun
religious taboos against drinking alcohol
Marrying a close relative is a taboo in many cultures.
Recent Examples on the WebLaura Begley Bloom, Forbes, 29 Nov. 2023
Although a wellness sabbatical may be considered taboo in our community, Black women are slowly getting on board with the concept.
—Dominique Fluker, Essence, 10 Nov. 2023
The film was greeted with enthusiasm by critics in Cannes but caused a scandal when it was released due to a controversial scene dealing with the taboo subject of necrophilia.
—Lise Pedersen, Variety, 14 Oct. 2023
Even to this day, the sequence of events is taboo to discuss, and in late 2021, a kaibunsho (怪文書), a Japanese word for a scandalous secret document, revealing some details of what happened began to circulate via fax and the internet.
—Jake Adelstein, Rolling Stone, 17 Oct. 2023
This made religion essentially a taboo topic, Nishida said, and to this day, religious education is not provided at elementary, junior, or high schools in Japan, unlike in most EU member states.
—Emiko Jozuka, CNN, 14 Oct. 2023
The potential that this synod, and a second session next year, could lead to real change on previously taboo topics has given hope to many women and progressive Catholics.
—Nicole Winfield and Trisha Thomas, The Christian Science Monitor, 3 Oct. 2023
While some places may have more lenient views towards its use, others might view it as taboo or even offensive.
—Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 12 Oct. 2023
Generally speaking, while women may feel comfortable talking about their careers, responsibilities, etc., money and finances can still feel taboo.
—Alicia Adamczyk, Fortune, 9 Oct. 2023
Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 27 Nov. 2023
Known for a lifetime of humanitarian work, former President Jimmy Carter and his late wife Rosalynn Carter’s most lasting gift—certainly for me—may be their decision to help break the taboo in America around death and hospice care.
—Margaux Anbouba, Vogue, 22 Nov. 2023
Meanwhile, Lin Caster, a member of a diaspora who are forced to live in a walled ghetto, insists on training as a physician despite a taboo on women in medicine, which brings her into Prince Conor’s orbit, too.
—Charlie Jane Anders, Washington Post, 25 Oct. 2023
FastCompany - Though Gen Z is often labeled lazy due to their push for flexible work, some applaud them for removing workplace taboos for all generations.
—Paige McGlauflin, Fortune, 7 Nov. 2023
But no one was daring enough to pursue it as a career because at the time it was looked at as taboo.
—Thania Garcia, Variety, 31 Oct. 2023
The work, part of a makeshift pavilion to worship the Hindu goddess Durga, was designed to break taboos in India about menstruation.
—Suhasini Raj Atul Loke, New York Times, 25 Oct. 2023
What was once an old style taboo is, clearly, now a fresh color pairing.
—Christian Allaire, Vogue, 9 Oct. 2023
Once a taboo subject, the issue of royal reform and amendments to lese majeste has seen a turning point since the protests, with people increasingly speaking about the monarchy openly and publicly, despite the legal risks.
—Helen Regan, CNN, 19 Sep. 2023
Elizabeth Gulino, refinery29.com, 27 Apr. 2021
Simply repurposing her stylish wardrobe, which is normally taboo in Hollywood.
—Sara M Moniuszko, USA TODAY, 19 Feb. 2020
Create an open dialogue and refuse to let anything be taboo between you two.
—Annie Lane, oregonlive, 23 Mar. 2020
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Adjective
Tip 4: Talk About Money Breaking away from the traditional view that discussing money is taboo, Tu champions open conversations about finances among friends.
—Laura Begley Bloom, Forbes, 29 Nov. 2023
Although a wellness sabbatical may be considered taboo in our community, Black women are slowly getting on board with the concept.
—Dominique Fluker, Essence, 10 Nov. 2023
The film was greeted with enthusiasm by critics in Cannes but caused a scandal when it was released due to a controversial scene dealing with the taboo subject of necrophilia.
—Lise Pedersen, Variety, 14 Oct. 2023
Even to this day, the sequence of events is taboo to discuss, and in late 2021, a kaibunsho (怪文書), a Japanese word for a scandalous secret document, revealing some details of what happened began to circulate via fax and the internet.
—Jake Adelstein, Rolling Stone, 17 Oct. 2023
This made religion essentially a taboo topic, Nishida said, and to this day, religious education is not provided at elementary, junior, or high schools in Japan, unlike in most EU member states.
—Emiko Jozuka, CNN, 14 Oct. 2023
The potential that this synod, and a second session next year, could lead to real change on previously taboo topics has given hope to many women and progressive Catholics.
—Nicole Winfield and Trisha Thomas, The Christian Science Monitor, 3 Oct. 2023
While some places may have more lenient views towards its use, others might view it as taboo or even offensive.
—Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 12 Oct. 2023
Generally speaking, while women may feel comfortable talking about their careers, responsibilities, etc., money and finances can still feel taboo.
—Alicia Adamczyk, Fortune, 9 Oct. 2023
Noun
Speed limits top out at 35 mph, flip-flops grace bare feet, and there's a taboo on high-rise buildings and commercialization.
—Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 27 Nov. 2023
Known for a lifetime of humanitarian work, former President Jimmy Carter and his late wife Rosalynn Carter’s most lasting gift—certainly for me—may be their decision to help break the taboo in America around death and hospice care.
—Margaux Anbouba, Vogue, 22 Nov. 2023
Meanwhile, Lin Caster, a member of a diaspora who are forced to live in a walled ghetto, insists on training as a physician despite a taboo on women in medicine, which brings her into Prince Conor’s orbit, too.
—Charlie Jane Anders, Washington Post, 25 Oct. 2023
FastCompany - Though Gen Z is often labeled lazy due to their push for flexible work, some applaud them for removing workplace taboos for all generations.
—Paige McGlauflin, Fortune, 7 Nov. 2023
But no one was daring enough to pursue it as a career because at the time it was looked at as taboo.
—Thania Garcia, Variety, 31 Oct. 2023
The work, part of a makeshift pavilion to worship the Hindu goddess Durga, was designed to break taboos in India about menstruation.
—Suhasini Raj Atul Loke, New York Times, 25 Oct. 2023
What was once an old style taboo is, clearly, now a fresh color pairing.
—Christian Allaire, Vogue, 9 Oct. 2023
Once a taboo subject, the issue of royal reform and amendments to lese majeste has seen a turning point since the protests, with people increasingly speaking about the monarchy openly and publicly, despite the legal risks.
—Helen Regan, CNN, 19 Sep. 2023
Verb
Basically, Pluto rules taboo topics that lie under the surface and that are hard to talk about.
—Elizabeth Gulino, refinery29.com, 27 Apr. 2021
Simply repurposing her stylish wardrobe, which is normally taboo in Hollywood.
—Sara M Moniuszko, USA TODAY, 19 Feb. 2020
Create an open dialogue and refuse to let anything be taboo between you two.
—Annie Lane, oregonlive, 23 Mar. 2020
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'taboo.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Dictionary Entries Near taboo
Cite this Entry
“Taboo.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/taboo. Accessed 8 Dec. 2023.
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Kids Definition
taboo
2 of 2 noun
variants
also tabu
plural taboos also tabus
1
: a prohibition against touching, saying, or doing something for fear of immediate harm by a superhuman force
2
: a prohibition established by social custom
Etymology
Adjective
from tabu, a word in a language of the people of a South Sea island, meaning "taboo"
Medical Definition
taboo
1 of 2 noun
ta·boo
variants
also tabu
plural taboos also tabus
1
: a prohibition in some cultures against touching, saying, or doing something for fear of immediate harm from a mysterious superhuman force
2
: a prohibition imposed by social custom or as a protective measure
the view that incest, not cannibalism, was the world's first taboo—Phyllis Grosskurth
Phyllis Grosskurth3
: belief in taboos
taboo
adjective
also tabu
taboo
2 of 2 transitive verb
variants
also tabu
: to avoid or ban as taboo
More from Merriam-Webster on taboo
Nglish: Translation of taboo for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of taboo for Arabic Speakers
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about taboo
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