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
Ut Community Press, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 Oct. 2025
Historically, the church viewed tattoos as taboo – a violation of the sanctity of the body.
—Brittany Romanello, The Conversation, 10 Oct. 2025
Yangyang Cheng, NPR, 4 Oct. 2025
The result was Radius, a boutique label at The Weinstein Company, that embraced simultaneous VOD releases at a time when that was still taboo.
—Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 28 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for taboo
Adjective
The event creates an inviting, safe space to share the heartfelt experience of diving into a taboo topic which unites all.
—Ut Community Press, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 Oct. 2025
Historically, the church viewed tattoos as taboo – a violation of the sanctity of the body.
—Brittany Romanello, The Conversation, 10 Oct. 2025
Noun
Yet, unlike Tiananmen, COVID-19 is not entirely taboo in China.
—Yangyang Cheng, NPR, 4 Oct. 2025
The result was Radius, a boutique label at The Weinstein Company, that embraced simultaneous VOD releases at a time when that was still taboo.
—Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 28 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for taboo
Recent Examples of Synonyms for taboo
Adjective
-
Lina, a young woman facing harsh coming-of-age rituals, forms a forbidden connection with a man.—
Anna Marie de la Fuente,
Variety,
3 Oct. 2025
-
With every temptation, Jesus is lured into a forbidden world, and a terrified Joseph soon realizes that a demonic power is at work.—
Mekishana Pierre,
Entertainment Weekly,
1 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Players can, subject to some prohibitions, gamble on sports other than the NFL.—
Saad Yousuf,
New York Times,
25 Oct. 2025
-
An open letter calling for the prohibition of the development of superintelligent AI was announced on Wednesday, with the signatures of more than 700 celebrities, AI scientists, faith leaders, and policymakers.—
Billy Perrigo,
Time,
22 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Pokémon’s power comes from constantly being in the zeitgeist with a new product out regularly, conditions anathema to innovation.—
Ryan Gaur,
Rolling Stone,
14 Oct. 2025
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In sports, it’s often considered anathema to look back.—
David Aldridge,
New York Times,
12 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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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
-
Large lecture halls are a no-no, posing security concerns.—
Kelly Meyerhofer,
jsonline.com,
23 Oct. 2025
-
Since most garages aren’t insulated, this spot is a no-no for all these items.—
Michelle Mastro,
Architectural Digest,
23 Oct. 2025
Noun
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The tale of the Navidson family and friends exploring their eldritch abomination of a house features death and survival horror alongside impossible architecture and geometry.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
14 Oct. 2025
-
Cast aside as an abomination, Karloff’s gentle giant only craves an intimate connection with someone else.—
Samantha Allen,
Them.,
7 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Congress decided to make daylight saving time permanent for two years from 1973 to 1975, extending the hours of daily sunlight year-round to conserve energy during the oil embargo crisis.—
Haadiza Ogwude,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
25 Oct. 2025
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Harris lost some support during the presidential election from pro-Palestinian advocacy groups who called on the Biden administration to impose an arms embargo on Israel in response to its attacks on Gaza since October 7, 2023.—
Kate Plummer,
MSNBC Newsweek,
24 Oct. 2025
Noun
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After months marked by corruption, violence, and the open perversion of law, to gasp in outrage at the loss of a few tons of masonry and mortar might seem oddly misjudged.—
Adam Gopnik,
New Yorker,
25 Oct. 2025
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Empsall’s small church offers classes on Christian resistance to fascism and how to reject White Christian nationalism as a perversion of Christianity.—
Liam Adams,
USA Today,
16 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Taboo.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/taboo. Accessed 29 Oct. 2025.
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