Synonyms of taboo

taboo 1 of 2

adjective

tə-ˈbü 

variants also tabu

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

• forbidden
• prohibited
• banned
• outlawed
• inappropriate
• unacceptable
• illegal
• barred
• improper
• impermissible
• proscribed
• verboten
• unlawful
• unauthorized
• illicit
• unbearable
• unmentionable
• interdicted
• objectionable
• unsuitable
• unseemly
• unendurable
• intolerable
• ineffable
• excluded
• refused
• rejected
• illegitimate
• unlicensed
• repressed
• prevented
• stopped
• suppressed
• disallowed
• discouraged
• revoked
• vetoed
• precluded
• blocked
• unsanctioned
• shut out
• disapproved
• hindered
• ruled out
• obstructed
• impeded

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• permissible
• acceptable
• allowable
• legal
• appropriate
• permissive
• permitted
• legitimate
• lawful
• tolerable
• bearable
• accepted
• endurable
• OK
• endorsed
• authorized
• approved
• licensed
• certified
• allowed
• sanctioned
• accredited
• warranted
• mandatory
• sufferable
• granted
• suitable
• promoted
• commanded
• proper
• supported
• required
• encouraged
• condoned
• unobjectionable
• tolerated
• countenanced
• accorded
• seemly
• ordered
• vouchsafed
• brooked

taboo

2 of 2

noun

variants also tabu

1

as in prohibition

Related Words

• prohibition
• no-no
• embargo
• restriction
• ban
• veto
• suppression
• limitation
• repression
• inhibition
• deterrent
• proscription
• prevention
• constraint
• discouragement
• restraint
• refusal
• objection
• interdiction
• interdict
• protest
• denial
• negation
• injunction
• commandment
• mandate
• rejection
• warning
• caveat
• decree
• disallowance
• edict
• dictate

Dissimilar Words

• tolerance
• consent
• prescription
• sanction
• permission
• permitting
• licensing
• allowance
• allowing
• license
• letting
• approval
• granting
• clearance
• leave
• support
• authorization
• toleration
• promotion
• blessing
• endorsement
• agreement
• compliance
• encouragement
• sufferance
• sanctioning
• enabling
• submission
• OK
• obedience
• approbation
• imprimatur
• acquiescence
• assent
• facilitation
• accession

2

as in anathema

Related Words

• anathema
• abomination
• perversion
• degeneracy
• indecency
• corruption
• scurrility
• depravity
• debauchery
• canker
• squalor
• decay
• rot
• cancer
• scurrilousness
• pervertedness
• malefaction
• evil
• satanism
• diabolism
• vileness
• sinfulness
• bad
• devilry
• immorality
• badness
• wickedness
• heinousness
• fiendishness
• evilness
• darkness
• enormity
• wrong
• atrocity
• villainy
• devilishness
• ill
• iniquity
• sin
• iniquitousness
• depravedness
• balefulness
• evildoing
• atrociousness

Dissimilar Words

• right
• morality
• virtue
• good
• decency
• honesty
• integrity
• goodness
• rectitude
• righteousness
• probity
• uprightness
• virtuousness

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of taboo

Adjective

Gone are the days when nightlife and partying were considered taboo in conservative Nigerian society, as people have been partying for a long time, said Oluwamayowa Idowu, founder of Culture Custodian, a leading culture publication based in Lagos. — ABC News, 28 Aug. 2026

And for a long time, even referring to Puerto Rico as a colony was taboo. — Carlos Aguilar, Los Angeles Times, 27 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