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taboo 1 of 2

adjective

tə-ˈbü How to pronounce taboo (audio)
variants also tabu
Definition of taboonext
as in forbidden
that may not be permitted asking a guest how much money he or she makes is strictly taboo because it's a rude question to ask a stranger

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

taboo

2 of 2

noun

variants also tabu
1
as in prohibition

Related Words

Dissimilar Words
2
as in anathema

Related Words

Dissimilar Words

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of taboo
Adjective
And for a long time, even referring to Puerto Rico as a colony was taboo. — Carlos Aguilar, Los Angeles Times, 27 Aug. 2026 Visible bra straps almost felt like a betrayal, an acknowledgment that something so taboo lies just beneath the surface. — Hannah Jackson, Vogue, 5 Aug. 2026
Noun
Remember, Scorpio is ruled by powerhouse Pluto, the planet of power, transformation and all that is hidden beneath the surface, and there’s nothing this Water sign loves more than a little taboo! — Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 10 Sep. 2026 The patients who met with CNN all said their previous doctors treated cancer as taboo. — Caleb Hellerman, CNN Money, 4 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for taboo
Recent Examples of Synonyms for taboo
  1. forbidden
  2. prohibition
  3. anathema
  4. no-no
  5. abomination
  6. embargo
  7. perversion
  8. restriction
Adjective
  • Their forbidden love leads the Jade Emperor to decree their separation on opposite sides of the Milky Way.
    — ABC News, 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
Definition of forbidden
Noun
  • The delegation will be under travel restrictions and will face prohibitions on the purchase of luxury and other goods per our policy.
    — September 18, CBS News, 18 Sep. 2026
  • The Justice Department concluded Friday that the federal government cannot criminally enforce a prohibition on licensed dealers selling handguns to law-abiding adults ages 18-20 because the restriction violates the Second Amendment.
    — Kaelan Deese, The Washington Examiner, 18 Sep. 2026
Definition of prohibition
Noun
  • There are likely many of you reading this who will never ever be convinced and see AI as anathema to creativity.
    — Brian Welk, IndieWire, 5 Sep. 2026
  • Ceding federal lands is also anathema to land preservation groups, which expressed dismay at the idea that any piece of Yosemite might be lost, no matter how small.
    — Kevin Rector, Los Angeles Times, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of anathema
Noun
  • This uneven wear on the underbelly of a sneaker is a big no-no — prompting wearers to rotate out their running shoes at rapid rates.
    — Stacia Datskovska, Footwear News, 18 Sep. 2026
  • Additionally, make sure to toss any fleece blankets, Peck adds, noting that keeping them on display—or worse, using them as sofa covers—is a major no-no for adults.
    — Sarah Lyon, The Spruce, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of no-no
Noun
  • What are the implications when much of humanity witnesses the same pyrotechnic abomination at the same time?
    — David Friend, Vanity Fair, 10 Sep. 2026
  • It a thematic fit, and after nearly 200 episodes, there’s no doubting this team’s ability to deliver fresh, new abominations.
    — Ben Travers, IndieWire, 17 Aug. 2026
Definition of abomination
Noun
  • As gas prices spike and diesel hits record highs in Iowa, a group of Iowa Republicans joined a growing national call to address the issue through a suspension of the gas tax and putting an embargo on diesel exports.
    — Brianne Pfannenstiel, Des Moines Register, 22 Sep. 2026
  • The long-term effects of the embargo are partly to blame, as is the cutoff of foreign oil since February.
    — Will Freeman, Foreign Affairs, 17 Sep. 2026
Definition of embargo
Noun
  • Politicians and preachers denounced them for blasphemy, perversion, and their loud support for civil rights.
    — Rob Sheffield, Rolling Stone, 29 Aug. 2026
  • The leprous, lascivious body was a perversion that Western proselytizing could fix.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 20 July 2026
Definition of perversion
Noun
  • Hnin Aye read every news article about new passport restrictions and regulations, which seemed to change every month.
    — Andrew Nachemson, The Dial, 22 Sep. 2026
  • The big question mark around these companies is whether the White House pushes through a ban or restriction on diesel fuel exports.
    — Brian Sullivan, CNBC, 22 Sep. 2026
Definition of restriction

Browse Nearby Words

tabloids
taboo
taboos
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Taboo.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/taboo. Accessed 23 Sep. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on taboo

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about taboo

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