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
Max Goldbart, Deadline, 31 Dec. 2025
Prenups aren’t taboo anymore—at least not for members of some younger generations.
—Hannah Jocelyn, New Yorker, 29 Dec. 2025
Olivia B. Waxman, Time, 9 Jan. 2026
But the taboo around questioning college is holding an entire generation back from making the decision that’s actually right for them.
—Eric Simons, Fortune, 2 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for taboo
Adjective
It’s been a taboo subject for so long, people haven’t talked about it.
—Max Goldbart, Deadline, 31 Dec. 2025
Prenups aren’t taboo anymore—at least not for members of some younger generations.
—Hannah Jocelyn, New Yorker, 29 Dec. 2025
Noun
The film, adapted from a 2017 Los Angeles Times story about Hang by Frank Shyong, stars Lucy Liu as Irene, who is trying to keep her son Joe’s (Lawrence Shou) schizophrenia diagnosis secret from the other parents in her Asian American community because of a taboo around mental health issues.
—Olivia B. Waxman, Time, 9 Jan. 2026
But the taboo around questioning college is holding an entire generation back from making the decision that’s actually right for them.
—Eric Simons, Fortune, 2 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for taboo
Recent Examples of Synonyms for taboo
Adjective
-
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
-
Waiting was something forbidden.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
23 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Others, including prohibitions on universal vote-by-mail and ranked choice voting -- two voting methods that have proved popular in some states -- would happen immediately.—
LISA MASCARO THE ASSOCIATED PRESS,
Arkansas Online,
30 Jan. 2026
-
During the prohibition era, the cave used trap doors and movable brick walls to hide liquor from law enforcement.—
Paige Moore,
AZCentral.com,
30 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
This index is the first to go in a tough tape created by a pernicious bond market; higher rates are a small-cap anathema.—
Jim Cramer,
CNBC,
25 Jan. 2026
-
The idea of altering Ferrari’s iconography has always been anathema–until now.—
Viju Mathew,
Robb Report,
20 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
-
The only problem with this whole Hollywood Cinderella story is that Simon is secretly harboring superpowers, a big no-no for the entertainment industry, and Trevor has some ulterior motives in befriending this real-life superhero who wants to play a superhero in a movie.—
Kelly Lawler,
USA Today,
27 Jan. 2026
-
Eggs Leaving eggs in your car is a no-no in any weather conditions.—
Elissa Robinson,
Detroit Free Press,
23 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
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
-
This second half of Godzilla’s nearly 70-year history is a towering showcase of how versatile Godzilla is; a character who can be a hero, villain, or even eldritch abomination — to mixed results.—
James Grebey,
Vulture,
9 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Early buzz from the creator event seems positive, though, again, take that with a grain of salt, given what is or isn't supposed to be leaking out right now ahead of the embargo drop.—
Paul Tassi,
Forbes.com,
26 Jan. 2026
-
Shorr said that advisory board members were barred from seeing the recommendations in advance because the analysis was under embargo.—
Dallas Morning News,
Dallas Morning News,
20 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Those who place responsibility on individuals and employers saw the ACA as perversion of the government’s purpose.—
Robert Applebaum,
The Conversation,
19 Dec. 2025
-
There’s the younger wife who falls in love with the woman her husband hires for a threesome, then walks off 10 minutes later with a $210m settlement once Nash acquires video evidence of his extensive perversions.—
Alejandra Gularte,
Vulture,
5 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Taboo.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/taboo. Accessed 1 Feb. 2026.
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