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

Putting words on the page seems too low stakes to get worked up about, and yet the terror of saying something taboo—or just being boring—feels like a terrible fate to most writers. — David O’Neill, New Yorker, 20 May 2026

Some of the absurdism of his early style has crept back into the act, coupled with an evident joy in playing around with taboo topics and landing the plane to the audience’s approval. — Alison Herman, Variety, 30 June 2026

Noun

There’s an adolescent’s sense of menace and taboo in her work, too, which often revolves around predatory adults and the vulnerable young women who counterintuitively welcome their abuse. — Emma Alpern, Vulture, 17 June 2026

Rather than treating intimacy as either a clinical necessity or a taboo subject, the company is designing products that integrate into modern self-care. — Tanya Benedicto Klich, Forbes.com, 30 June 2026