taboo 1 of 2

adjective

tə-ˈbü How to pronounce taboo (audio)
variants also tabu
Definition of taboonext
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

taboo

2 of 2

noun

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 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
Adjective
There are taboo subjects that would be unpublishable in other genres, but that are actually hallmarks of gothic horror. — Josh Rivera, USA Today, 15 Sep. 2026 Growing up, Diaz recalled, talking about her uncle’s job was taboo at home. — Maximilíano Durón, ARTnews.com, 4 Sep. 2026
Noun
In general, art made for adults tends to abide by this taboo. — Lily Meyer, The Atlantic, 16 Sep. 2026 Remember, Scorpio is ruled by powerhouse Pluto, the planet of power, transformation and all that is hidden beneath the surface, and there’s nothing this Water sign loves more than a little taboo! — Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 10 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for taboo
Recent Examples of Synonyms for taboo
  1. forbidden
  2. prohibition
  3. anathema
  4. no-no
  5. abomination
  6. embargo
  7. perversion
  8. restriction
Adjective
  • As a forbidden attraction grows between the two men, tragedy unleashes supernatural forces upon their deeply religious community.
    — Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 28 Sep. 2026
  • Their forbidden love leads the Jade Emperor to decree their separation on opposite sides of the Milky Way.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 19 Aug. 2026
Definition of forbidden
Noun
  • From the time of Bitcoin’s 2009 launch, crypto had occupied the murkier end of legal gray zones; in the eyes of CFTC regulators, crypto prediction markets, which inherited the moral and legal residue of gambling prohibition, were doubly marked.
    — Simon Denny, Artforum, 1 Oct. 2026
  • Regulation over prohibition Haddow said the association supports state regulations that require testing, labeling and age restrictions rather than outright bans.
    — Melissa Rudy, FOXNews.com, 1 Oct. 2026
Definition of prohibition
Noun
  • Its leftist viewpoint was, unsurprisingly, anathema to those on the right.
    — Barbara Spindel, Christian Science Monitor, 1 Oct. 2026
  • There are likely many of you reading this who will never ever be convinced and see AI as anathema to creativity.
    — Brian Welk, IndieWire, 5 Sep. 2026
Definition of anathema
Noun
  • Maybe Williams doesn't know or doesn't care, but this is a ceremonial no-no at best and disrespectful at worst.
    — Armando Salguero OutKick, FOXNews.com, 29 Sep. 2026
  • This uneven wear on the underbelly of a sneaker is a big no-no — prompting wearers to rotate out their running shoes at rapid rates.
    — Stacia Datskovska, Footwear News, 18 Sep. 2026
Definition of no-no
Noun
  • What are the implications when much of humanity witnesses the same pyrotechnic abomination at the same time?
    — David Friend, Vanity Fair, 10 Sep. 2026
  • It a thematic fit, and after nearly 200 episodes, there’s no doubting this team’s ability to deliver fresh, new abominations.
    — Ben Travers, IndieWire, 17 Aug. 2026
Definition of abomination
Noun
  • After the Great Depression, school districts revisited the idea during the energy crisis of the 1970s, following the 1973 Arab oil embargo and the painful years of stagflation that followed.
    — Muskaan Arshad, Fortune, 1 Oct. 2026
  • The studio must have had some idea that the film was going to get pilloried in some corners as the ad went live even before the review embargo broke Tuesday.
    — James Hibberd, HollywoodReporter, 30 Sep. 2026
Definition of embargo
Noun
  • Its technological perversions, unfortunately, end up quite mundane.
    — Siddhant Adlakha, IndieWire, 20 Sep. 2026
  • Politicians and preachers denounced them for blasphemy, perversion, and their loud support for civil rights.
    — Rob Sheffield, Rolling Stone, 29 Aug. 2026
Definition of perversion
Noun
  • Furthermore, loosening these restrictions risks igniting new supply friction.
    — , CNBC, 7 Oct. 2026
  • There have been numerous efforts to control campaign spending and the content of political ads, but like water running downhill, politicians manage to get around restrictions.
    — Cal Thomas, Arkansas Online, 6 Oct. 2026
Definition of restriction

Browse Nearby Words

tabloids
taboo
taboos
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Cite this Entry

“Taboo.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/taboo. Accessed 8 Oct. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on taboo

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about taboo

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