English Taboo

English Taboo
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ta·boo

| \ tə-ˈbü

, ta- \

1 a

: banned on grounds of morality or taste

the subject is taboo

b

: banned as constituting a risk

the area beyond is taboo , still alive with explosives — Robert Leckie

2

: forbidden to profane use or contact because of what are held to be dangerous supernatural powers

1 a

: a prohibition imposed by social custom or as a protective measure

… they may have developed a taboo against eating fish. — Jared Diamond

b

: something that is not acceptable to say, mention, or do : something that is taboo

… the tacticians in a conservative Republican Administration now deem membership in the club a taboo . — Peter J. Boyer

2

: a prohibition against touching, saying, or doing something for fear of immediate harm from a supernatural force

3

: belief in taboos

tabooed also tabued ; tabooing also tabuing ; taboos also tabus

1

: to set apart as taboo especially by marking with a ritualistic symbol

2

: to avoid or ban as taboo

Adjective

Sex is a taboo subject for many people.

In this company, dating a coworker is considered taboo .

Noun

religious taboos against drinking alcohol

Marrying a close relative is a taboo in many cultures.

Just so many things there that are taboo in the Black community and in every community.

—

Quinci Legardye, ELLE , 16 Sep. 2022

Stories like his are taboo in Russia, where the wrenching grief of many families is buried beneath the triumphant bombast of state media.

—

Jennifer Hassan, Washington Post , 7 Aug. 2022

This produces a situation where political violence is no longer seen as taboo , particularly among supporters of the losing political party.

—

James Piazza, The Conversation , 3 Jan. 2022

In their view, there’s a demand for new ways to celebrate a plant that was once seen as taboo , as well as a desire for new ways to connect with likeminded fans in a post-pandemic world — and NFTs fit this description perfectly.

—

Javier Hasse, Forbes , 7 Apr. 2021

Over the last couple of years, the taboo topic of loss has been brought to the forefront.

—

Paolo Confino, Fortune , 24 Aug. 2022

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun
With teen pregnancy being depicted in media as taboo and the recent overturning Roe v. Wade, Simone's existence is increasingly important.

—

Alamin Yohannes, EW.com , 14 Sep. 2022

Years ago, sharing about your cosmetic procedures was seen as taboo .

—

Jordyn Brown, Essence , 8 July 2022

Shu Shu Tong analyzed the yoke of taboo and conservatism in traditional dress.

—

Margaret Zhang, Vogue , 13 June 2022

Salary secrecy also keeps with a culture that values individualism, and sees the sharing of personal finances as taboo .

—

Kiran Herbert, Outside Online , 8 Mar. 2021

There was a frisson of excitement to the light taboo .

—

Natalia Winkelman, BostonGlobe.com , 22 Sep. 2022

Co-creators Maya Erskine and Anna Konkle star as 13-year-old middle school versions of themselves, allowing the series to address topics and situations many would consider taboo if performed by younger lead actors.

—

Toby Grey, BGR , 16 Sep. 2022

Though his death by suicide touched on a sensitive topic and was perhaps triggering for some viewers, his arc opens the doors of discussion on the taboo of mental health and Black men.

—

Essence , 11 July 2022

She’s interested in the taboo , the unspeakable violence that is committed on the bodies of women.

—

Patrick Brzeski, The Hollywood Reporter , 7 Sep. 2022

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb
Basically, Pluto rules taboo topics that lie under the surface and that are hard to talk about.

—

Elizabeth Gulino, refinery29.com , 27 Apr. 2021

Simply repurposing her stylish wardrobe, which is normally taboo in Hollywood.

—

Sara M Moniuszko, USA TODAY , 19 Feb. 2020

Simply repurposing her stylish wardrobe, which is normally taboo in Hollywood.

—

Sara M Moniuszko, USA TODAY , 19 Feb. 2020

Simply repurposing her stylish wardrobe, which is normally taboo in Hollywood.

—

Sara M Moniuszko, USA TODAY , 19 Feb. 2020

Simply repurposing her stylish wardrobe, which is normally taboo in Hollywood.

—

Sara M Moniuszko, USA TODAY , 19 Feb. 2020

Create an open dialogue and refuse to let anything be taboo between you two.

—

Annie Lane, oregonlive , 23 Mar. 2020

Simply repurposing her stylish wardrobe, which is normally taboo in Hollywood.

—

Sara M Moniuszko, USA TODAY , 19 Feb. 2020

Simply repurposing her stylish wardrobe, which is normally taboo in Hollywood.

—

Sara M Moniuszko, USA TODAY , 19 Feb. 2020

MLA
Chicago
APA
Merriam-Webster

variants:
also tabu \
tə-ˈbü
, ta-
\

1

: a prohibition against touching, saying, or doing something for fear of immediate harm by a superhuman force

2

: a prohibition established by social custom

variants:
also tabu \
tə-ˈbü, ta-

\

1

: a prohibition in some cultures against touching, saying, or doing something for fear of immediate harm from a mysterious superhuman force

2

: a prohibition imposed by social custom or as a protective measure

the view that incest, not cannibalism, was the world's first taboo — Phyllis Grosskurth

3

: belief in taboos

taboo

also tabu adjective

stationery
stationary

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Definition of taboo (Entry 2 of 3)
Definition of taboo (Entry 3 of 3)

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'taboo.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback .

1777, in the meaning defined at sense 2
1777, in the meaning defined at sense 2
1777, in the meaning defined at sense 1
“Taboo.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary , Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/taboo. Accessed 15 Oct. 2022.
Kids Definition of taboo (Entry 2 of 2)
Medical Definition of taboo (Entry 2 of 2)
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