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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in anathema
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of taboo
Lyric Christian, Essence, 27 Feb. 2025
Naomi Watts is one of a handful of stars — Halle Berry and Brooke Shields also among them — putting the spotlight on menopause symptoms that have long been considered taboo.
—Maggie Ryan, Flow Space, 20 Feb. 2025
Jim Tankersley, New York Times, 24 Feb. 2025
Something seems to be happening here that distinguishes anonymous chat rooms from other spaces in which social taboos can be lifted: the carnival, the festival, the rave.
—Katie Ebner-Landy, The New Yorker, 22 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for taboo
Adjective
The reality is that Black women are still severely underrepresented in executive roles, and salary transparency remains a taboo topic, which only perpetuates pay disparities.
—Lyric Christian, Essence, 27 Feb. 2025
Naomi Watts is one of a handful of stars — Halle Berry and Brooke Shields also among them — putting the spotlight on menopause symptoms that have long been considered taboo.
—Maggie Ryan, Flow Space, 20 Feb. 2025
Noun
The ploy broke a decades-long taboo in German politics.
—Jim Tankersley, New York Times, 24 Feb. 2025
Something seems to be happening here that distinguishes anonymous chat rooms from other spaces in which social taboos can be lifted: the carnival, the festival, the rave.
—Katie Ebner-Landy, The New Yorker, 22 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for taboo
Recent Examples of Synonyms for taboo
Adjective
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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
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The clever canine is captured standing frozen, waiting for the all clear, before attempting to climb onto a forbidden couch in a post to the platform by @maltimasi_ on January 30.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
Newsweek,
6 Feb. 2025
Noun
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According to a memo from the General Services Administration dated Feb. 15 and reported this week by NPR, the Trump administration is no longer requiring explicit prohibitions on segregated facilities in new government contracts.—
Cybele Mayes-Osterman,
USA TODAY,
21 Mar. 2025
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The measure also adds other criminal offenses to Texas law, including prohibitions on marketing intoxicating hemp products to minors and possession of cannabinoid products other than CBD and CBG with intent to sell.—
A.J. Herrington,
Forbes,
20 Mar. 2025
Noun
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The very thought of reducing government spending is anathema to progressives.—
Chris Roemer,
Baltimore Sun,
20 Mar. 2025
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While tariffs are anathema to plenty of Republicans who preach the gospel of unfettered markets, Paul is one of the only members of Congress currently speaking out against them.—
Eric Cortellessa,
TIME,
18 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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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
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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
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Multiples of the same person are a huge no-no, so 18 first tries to kill 17, but the Mickeys have to work together when the expedition’s banally evil leader, talk-show host/wannabe dictator Kenneth Marshall (Mark Ruffalo), wants to exterminate them along with the Creepers.—
Brian Truitt,
USA TODAY,
6 Mar. 2025
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That’s a no-no for the town’s hearty homophobic faction, including the head of the PTA and Alyssa’s mother Mrs. Greene (Sara K. Dean).—
David John Chávez,
The Mercury News,
5 Mar. 2025
Noun
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And that’s not even getting into the AI abomination that this movie does to the soul (and visage) of the late Ian Holm. 46.—
Joe Reid,
Vulture,
28 Feb. 2025
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City Council members and Public Advocate Jumaane Williams are calling the NYPD’s gang database a civil rights abomination that must be obliterated.—
New York Daily News Editorial Board,
New York Daily News,
27 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
In the 1970s, Saudi Arabia and other countries imposed an oil embargo on the United States and other nations.—
Eric Lagatta,
USA TODAY,
6 Mar. 2025
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Many of the protesters were calling for an end to the war, a U.S. arms embargo on Israel and for their universities to divest from Israel.—
Jordan Freiman,
CBS News,
5 Mar. 2025
Noun
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Everyone knows what a perversion fragmenting the Taj Mahal would be.—
Ralph Leonard,
The Atlantic,
4 Feb. 2025
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Clark, instead, memorializes Black Twitter, hoping to prevent further perversion of Black innovation, Black language, culture and style.—
J Wortham,
New York Times,
9 Jan. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Taboo.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/taboo. Accessed 26 Mar. 2025.
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