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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of taboo
Jesa Marie Calaor, Allure, 10 Feb. 2026
For one thing, money is still a relatively taboo subject.
—Hannah Keyser, CNN Money, 1 Feb. 2026
Peter White, Deadline, 24 Feb. 2026
Unfortunately, certain difficult topics are still considered taboo.
—Stefania Conrieri, Vanity Fair, 20 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for taboo
Adjective
But unlike the dark-romance trope in novels and fanfiction, which centers on taboo relationships and morally gray characters, these looks are less about shock value and more about heightened emotion.
—Jesa Marie Calaor, Allure, 10 Feb. 2026
For one thing, money is still a relatively taboo subject.
—Hannah Keyser, CNN Money, 1 Feb. 2026
Noun
The brain misfires on what feels charged or taboo.
—Peter White, Deadline, 24 Feb. 2026
Unfortunately, certain difficult topics are still considered taboo.
—Stefania Conrieri, Vanity Fair, 20 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for taboo
Recent Examples of Synonyms for taboo
Adjective
-
Women, whether secular or religious, remain forbidden to read, write or tell stories.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
5 Feb. 2026
-
One of Japan’s most beloved television personalities — and a perennial favorite-host winner — Matsuko brings her sharp insight and commanding presence to a forbidden auction staged in a mysterious underground space.—
Patrick Brzeski,
HollywoodReporter,
27 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
The prohibition currently keeps about 53,000 ineligible to vote in Missouri.—
Jack Harvel,
Kansas City Star,
6 Mar. 2026
-
The restaurant has been owned by a handful of different families who navigated world wars, prohibition, and global pandemics, moving locations just twice but always staying on Decatur Street.—
Stephanie Gallman Jordan,
Southern Living,
6 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
There, again, her ambition and dreams were stifled by her present-day reality, trapped in a body that was anathema to her.—
Chris Murphy,
Vanity Fair,
18 Feb. 2026
-
For months, perhaps years, the idea of trading the franchise icon was anathema in Wisconsin.—
Dieter Kurtenbach,
Mercury News,
31 Jan. 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
-
This plant produces a white bloom that looks a bit like a morning glory, but from root to leaves, this plant is a no-no.—
Melissa Locker,
Southern Living,
10 Mar. 2026
-
Dentists practicing for an ownership group that includes non-dentists is a no-no in Florida.—
David J. Neal,
Miami Herald,
19 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Yes, the opening animation was an abomination, but what followed was almost — almost — enough to make up for it.—
Rebecca Alter,
Vulture,
7 Feb. 2026
-
Orthodox Jews viewed the pop-up novelty with its mixed troupes as an abomination, but young female actors and singers embraced the emancipatory promise of the stage.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
22 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Trump has made threats of trade embargoes and economic pain to those who do not support military action without compromise.—
Kamal Ahmed,
Fortune,
6 Mar. 2026
-
Britain responded with an an oil embargo and a severe economic squeeze on Iran.—
Gregory F. Treverton,
The Conversation,
3 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
But there’s more to it than gleeful perversions of genre.—
Carolina A. Miranda,
The Atlantic,
5 Mar. 2026
-
This garish cavalcade of perversions, which just premiered at the Berlin Film Festival, should have been shocking and transgressive; the pieces are certainly there.—
Bilge Ebiri,
Vulture,
15 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Taboo.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/taboo. Accessed 12 Mar. 2026.
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