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
Miriam Balanescu, IndieWire, 17 May 2025
Other countries have probed, sometimes painfully, the taboos of their own origin stories, says Sarmila Bose, an Indian author who published a controversial book in 2011 about Bangladesh’s liberation war.
—Simon Montlake, Christian Science Monitor, 16 May 2025
Destiny Jackson, Deadline, 12 June 2025
Jones learned to share his story on social media and how to build his brand, an idea that was taboo in MLB.
—Emma Moon, Charlotte Observer, 5 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for taboo
Adjective
Ultimately, the film hammers home that this klutzy, tactless new man in town is first and foremost a voyeur — which is where most of the taboo shattering comes in.
—Miriam Balanescu, IndieWire, 17 May 2025
Other countries have probed, sometimes painfully, the taboos of their own origin stories, says Sarmila Bose, an Indian author who published a controversial book in 2011 about Bangladesh’s liberation war.
—Simon Montlake, Christian Science Monitor, 16 May 2025
Noun
Here, Rosenstock explains the enjoyment and challenges of breathing life and taboo fun into someone on the edge of death.
—Destiny Jackson, Deadline, 12 June 2025
Jones learned to share his story on social media and how to build his brand, an idea that was taboo in MLB.
—Emma Moon, Charlotte Observer, 5 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for taboo
Recent Examples of Synonyms for taboo
Adjective
-
Benny and the Forbidden Garden, a 28-page book conceptualized and written by high-schoolers on the Placer County Youth Commission, follows a bunny who starts school and encounters a forbidden garden lush with intoxicating flowers.—
Calista Oetama,
Sacbee.com,
16 June 2025
-
Her investigation reveals forbidden rituals and buried wartime secrets connected to a sealed cave, with supernatural forces closing in around her.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
15 May 2025
Noun
-
The plaintiffs separately argued that the regulation includes a prohibition not expressly contemplated in section 1313(v) — that is, the general prohibition of a substitution drawback for excise taxes paid on imports where the substituted exports were exempt from excise tax.—
Robert Goulder,
Forbes.com,
23 June 2025
-
The prohibition excludes drones operated by DHS, police, firefighters and commercial operators who obtain an airspace waiver.—
Michael McCann,
Sportico.com,
22 June 2025
Noun
-
Colossal’s functional species concept is anathema to the Endangered Species Act.—
Alex Erwin,
The Conversation,
6 June 2025
-
As for the state’s longer-term financial picture, the kind of deeper cuts Republicans espouse are anathema to Pritzker and the legislature’s Democratic supermajority.—
Dan Petrella,
Chicago Tribune,
2 June 2025
Adjective
-
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
-
For example, Customs and Border Protection in the United States maintains a list of prohibited and restricted items for anyone entering the US and links to other departments if permits are required.—
Erica Kasper,
WIRED,
21 Aug. 2024
Noun
-
But the Yankees’ last no-no in front of their home crowd remains David Cone’s perfect game against the Montreal Expos on July 18, 1999, at the old stadium.—
Peter Sblendorio,
New York Daily News,
21 June 2025
-
No Cutting or Damaging Plants That Are For Sale Breaking off pieces from intact plants that are for sale is a big no-no.—
Leanne Potts,
Better Homes & Gardens,
21 June 2025
Noun
-
Mansory’s latest improvement—or abomination, depending on your perspective—is a G-Wagen convertible with a livery inspired by the board game Monopoly.—
Erik Shilling,
Robb Report,
18 June 2025
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Other leaders who show off tanks and missiles Trump stumbles up the stairs to Air Force One, stoking memory of Biden tripping video Musk and Trump's relationship: A timeline from campaign cash to 'disgusting abomination' Will Medicaid change under new bill?—
Kinsey Crowley,
USA Today,
12 June 2025
Noun
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Spain has canceled arms deals with Israel and called for an arms embargo.—
Sam McNeil,
Los Angeles Times,
23 June 2025
-
As far as the endgame for the campaign against Maersk, Saleh said the only demand the Palestinian Youth Movement has is an arms embargo.—
Brayden Garcia,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
19 June 2025
Noun
-
Spaces that seem most interested in the permissiveness of perversion.—
Hazlitt,
Hazlitt,
25 June 2025
-
Enter the wannabe patriot dealing with some perversion of the psyche.—
DP Opinion,
Denver Post,
20 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Taboo.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/taboo. Accessed 4 Jul. 2025.
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