Synonyms of taboo

taboo 1 of 2

adjective

tə-ˈbü 

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

• forbidden
• prohibited
• unacceptable
• inappropriate
• illegal
• outlawed
• impermissible
• proscribed
• verboten
• barred
• banned
• improper
• unmentionable
• unlawful
• interdicted
• unbearable
• illicit
• objectionable
• unsuitable
• unseemly
• unendurable
• unauthorized
• intolerable
• ineffable
• refused
• rejected
• unlicensed
• excluded
• repressed
• illegitimate
• disallowed
• stopped
• prevented
• suppressed
• revoked
• vetoed
• discouraged
• precluded
• unsanctioned
• blocked
• shut out
• disapproved
• hindered
• ruled out
• obstructed
• impeded

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• permissible
• acceptable
• allowable
• legal
• appropriate
• permissive
• permitted
• legitimate
• okay
• lawful
• tolerable
• bearable
• accepted
• endurable
• OK
• endorsed
• authorized
• approved
• licensed
• certified
• allowed
• sanctioned
• accredited
• warranted
• mandatory
• sufferable
• granted
• suitable
• promoted
• commanded
• proper
• supported
• required
• encouraged
• condoned
• unobjectionable
• indorsed
• tolerated
• countenanced
• accorded
• seemly
• ordered
• vouchsafed
• brooked

taboo

2 of 2

noun

variants also tabu

1

as in prohibition

Synonyms & Similar Words

• prohibition
• no-no
• embargo
• restriction
• ban
• veto
• suppression
• limitation
• repression
• inhibition
• deterrent
• proscription
• prevention
• constraint
• discouragement
• restraint
• refusal
• objection
• interdiction
• interdict
• protest
• denial
• negation
• injunction
• commandment
• mandate
• rejection
• warning
• caveat
• decree
• disallowance
• edict
• dictate

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• tolerance
• consent
• prescription
• sanction
• toleration
• permission
• permitting
• licensing
• allowance
• okay
• allowing
• license
• letting
• approval
• clearance
• granting
• leave
• licence
• authorization
• support
• promotion
• OK
• blessing
• endorsement
• approbation
• agreement
• compliance
• sufferance
• sanctioning
• encouragement
• indorsement
• enabling
• facilitation
• submission
• licencing
• obedience
• imprimatur
• acquiescence
• assent
• accession

2

as in anathema

Synonyms & Similar Words

• anathema
• abomination
• perversion
• degeneracy
• indecency
• corruption
• scurrility
• depravity
• debauchery
• canker
• squalor
• decay
• rot
• cancer
• scurrilousness
• pervertedness
• deviltry
• malefaction
• evil
• satanism
• diabolism
• vileness
• sinfulness
• bad
• devilry
• immorality
• badness
• wickedness
• heinousness
• fiendishness
• evilness
• darkness
• enormity
• wrong
• atrocity
• villainy
• devilishness
• ill
• iniquity
• sin
• iniquitousness
• depravedness
• balefulness
• evildoing
• atrociousness

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• right
• morality
• virtue
• good
• decency
• honesty
• integrity
• goodness
• rectitude
• righteousness
• probity
• uprightness
• virtuousness

Examples of taboo in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Just prior to August 20, the game’s co-publisher sent out the aforementioned list of taboo topics to gamers, reviewers, and streamers who had requested preview access to the game and who might be preparing to livestream their gameplay on platforms like Twitch and YouTube. —Aja Romano, Vox, 4 Sep. 2024

Back then, even discussing things like endometriosis was completely taboo. —Wesley Stenzel, EW.com, 4 Sep. 2024

Noun

Discussions of white artists’ practices of modernist primitivism and cultural appropriation often appear strangely taboo in accounts of textile art, as though the lower status of textiles in Euro-American artistic hierarchies precludes them from reinforcing other hierarchies of power. —K. L. H. Wells, Artforum, 1 Sep. 2024

The pair become lovers at a time when their relationship is still considered taboo. —Essence, 29 July 2024