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
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
variants
also tabu
1
as in prohibition
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in anathema
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of taboo
Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 26 Mar. 2025
The idea of putting your grandmother in a nursing home is so taboo in South Asian culture, but these characters are not beholden to being in that box.
—Hershal Pandya, Vulture, 6 Mar. 2025
Ned Temko, Christian Science Monitor, 27 Mar. 2025
In today’s world of social media, cosmetic surgery has shifted from a taboo subject to something more accepted and even normalized.
—Essence, 17 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for taboo
Adjective
Whether through tutorials or discussions of previously taboo topics, users are leveraging social media to generate specific niche knowledge and will reward brands that deliver value.
—Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 26 Mar. 2025
The idea of putting your grandmother in a nursing home is so taboo in South Asian culture, but these characters are not beholden to being in that box.
—Hershal Pandya, Vulture, 6 Mar. 2025
Noun
The center-right politician in line to become Germany’s next chancellor, Friedrich Merz, shattered both political taboos.
—Ned Temko, Christian Science Monitor, 27 Mar. 2025
In today’s world of social media, cosmetic surgery has shifted from a taboo subject to something more accepted and even normalized.
—Essence, 17 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for taboo
Recent Examples of Synonyms for taboo
Adjective
-
Interpretations of the Torah, as well as associations with the Holocaust, have led tattoos to long be considered forbidden or taboo within Judaism, though contemporary attitudes towards it have somewhat shifted.—
Jacqui Palumbo,
CNN Money,
8 Apr. 2025
-
Thompson, Ha and Brownell also say that Season 4 will dive much more into the Regency era’s upstairs-downstairs class politics than previous seasons, due to Sophie being of a lower class than Benedict and the Bridgerton family, as well as the fairytale and forbidden love tropes.—
Jennifer Maas,
Variety,
14 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
Reports earlier this week suggested Chinese officials had been contemplating a prohibition on Hollywood features, which would have dealt a major blow to entertainment companies struggling to rebuild after the pandemic and labor strikes.—
Kevinisha Walker,
Los Angeles Times,
12 Apr. 2025
-
Weiss said the prohibition was part of the city’s liquor ordinance.—
Steve Sadin,
Chicago Tribune,
8 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
Each school — each classroom teacher — must be permitted to find their own way when working to achieve the outcomes expected of them, which is why one-size-fits-all initiatives like Maryland’s Blueprint are anathema to any genuine effort to improve student outcomes.—
Chris Roemer,
Baltimore Sun,
13 Apr. 2025
-
The very notion of an independent regulator is anathema to those at Premier League HQ as well as to most of the clubs.—
Oliver Kay,
New York Times,
11 Apr. 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
-
Leave the seashells on Sardinia’s seashore On the Italian island of Sardinia, beachcombing is a no-no.—
The Washington Post,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
6 Apr. 2025
-
Each time Amelia presses forward, Simone practically begs her to stop — a big no-no when your patient is awake and listening.—
Laura Bradley,
Vulture,
4 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
In keeping with their distaste for regulations, Republicans and the broader conservative legal movement have long treated independent agencies as an abomination—and last month Trump sought to rein them in with an executive order that purported to bring them further under his direct control.—
Cristian Farias,
The New Yorker,
26 Mar. 2025
-
Yes, the end results are abominations, but there’s at least a lot less to get worked up about.—
Louis Peitzman,
Vulture,
21 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
The review embargo lifts before then, but the social media embargo is already lifted, and critics who have watched the entire season already are almost unanimously singing its praises.—
Erik Kain,
Forbes.com,
19 Apr. 2025
-
As countries scrambled by tapping into fertilizer reserves and using alternatives such as sea kelp, the embargo put a serious strain on global food supplies.—
Made by History,
Time,
15 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
Genter writes that which acts between women might constitute perversion was an open question.—
Livia Gershon,
JSTOR Daily,
6 Apr. 2025
-
However, Ma Mère is expressly about perversion.—
Armond White,
National Review,
14 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Taboo.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/taboo. Accessed 26 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share