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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
variants
also tabu
1
as in prohibition
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
2
as in anathema
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of taboo
Anna Marie De La Fuente, Variety, 14 May 2026
Fragmented treatment infrastructure More broadly, the nation’s treatment infrastructure for excessive alcohol consumption remains fragmented, medications remain underutilized, and harm-reduction strategies long embraced by other countries remain taboo.
—Lev Facher, STAT, 12 May 2026
Lee Ying Shan, CNBC, 29 May 2026
Among members of the older generations, candid talk about finances, and particularly about salary, is often considered taboo, or at least impolite.
—Courtney Connley-Hampton, Forbes.com, 27 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for taboo
Adjective
The project reflects a strong auteur and LGBTQ+ aligned slate touching on taboo subjects.
—Anna Marie De La Fuente, Variety, 14 May 2026
Fragmented treatment infrastructure More broadly, the nation’s treatment infrastructure for excessive alcohol consumption remains fragmented, medications remain underutilized, and harm-reduction strategies long embraced by other countries remain taboo.
—Lev Facher, STAT, 12 May 2026
Noun
Communication remains a major hurdle, particularly in Asia, where discussions around inheritance and wealth transfer are often considered taboo.
—Lee Ying Shan, CNBC, 29 May 2026
Among members of the older generations, candid talk about finances, and particularly about salary, is often considered taboo, or at least impolite.
—Courtney Connley-Hampton, Forbes.com, 27 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for taboo
Recent Examples of Synonyms for taboo
Adjective
-
Overnight, work grounded in community wisdom is now assumed unrealistic or forbidden.—
Rachel Bergmans,
Time,
18 Nov. 2025
-
At the core, as has been noted after the release of the teaser a couple months ago, is the steamy, forbidden relationship between Catherine Earnshaw (Robbie) and Heathcliff (Elordi).—
Tom Tapp,
Deadline,
13 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
If the facts align with reporting that survivors were intentionally targeted, international law experts say the order could fall under prohibitions against killing persons who are hors de combat—those incapable of fighting—which is barred under the Geneva Conventions.—
Robert Alexander,
MSNBC Newsweek,
3 Dec. 2025
-
Panahi’s lawyer, Mostafa Nili, said the sentence includes a two-year travel ban and prohibition of Panahi from membership of any political or social groups.—
Leo Barraclough,
Variety,
1 Dec. 2025
Noun
-
The notion that nature begins only where humans end is anathema to the Cornish spirit.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
11 June 2026
-
Becerra has seemed almost allergic to lavish tax benefits, while Hilton comes with a host of conservative policy proposals, from the dismantling of environmental protections to pushing low-density housing, that will be anathema to many liberals in Hollywood.—
Steven Zeitchik,
HollywoodReporter,
10 June 2026
Adjective
-
There is, however, room for questions about where the line between prohibited and acceptable political involvement will fall in practice.—
BrieAnna J. Frank,
USA Today,
11 July 2025
-
The list of prohibited and restricted items, as found on the CBP website, includes alcohol, biological materials, firearms, food and produce such as fruits and vegetables, soil, wildlife, fish, and gold, among other items.—
Dan Perry,
Newsweek,
28 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
Cheap All-Weather Wicker Peterman points to cheap all-weather wicker patio furniture as a major no-no in her books.—
Cori Sears,
The Spruce,
13 June 2026
-
There are some obvious no-no’s that fall within this rule, like standard-size water bottles and full-size tubes of toothpaste.—
Elliott Harrell,
Travel + Leisure,
8 June 2026
Noun
-
Yes, the first season of Big Brother was an abomination.—
Dalton Ross,
Entertainment Weekly,
4 June 2026
-
But Spotify appears to not have expected the intense reaction from many of its users about the sudden appearance of the disco ball — with many slamming it as a visual abomination.—
Todd Spangler,
Variety,
18 May 2026
Noun
-
Barrett and Kavanaugh seized on arguments made by the challengers that the president could order a complete trade embargo but not impose tariffs of even 1 percent under the emergency law.—
Shane Croucher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
9 Dec. 2025
-
Biden’s national security advisers may not have used the same language in public, but boosting US oil and gas production as a means of countering the influence of Russia and Gulf states has been a common goal for US presidents going back at least to the Arab oil embargoes of the 1970s.—
Tim McDonnell,
semafor.com,
9 Dec. 2025
Noun
-
The Fair Districts law is a partisan perversion walking around in a phony non-partisan trenchcoat.—
Letters to the Editor,
The Orlando Sentinel,
28 Apr. 2026
-
But there’s more to it than gleeful perversions of genre.—
Carolina A. Miranda,
The Atlantic,
5 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Taboo.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/taboo. Accessed 18 Jun. 2026.
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