Synonyms for
Taboo
Definition
a social or cultural custom prohibiting or forbidding discussion of a particular practice or forbidding association with a particular person, place, or thing
Synonyms & similar words
Synonyms by register
Formal
Informal
Antonyms
Common collocations
- social taboo
- cultural taboo
- sexual taboo
- break a taboo
- discuss a taboo
- taboo subject
- taboo topic
- taboo practice
Word family
Usage note
As a noun, 'taboo' refers to a social or religious custom prohibiting or restricting a particular practice or forbidding association with a particular person, place, or thing. As an adjective, it means prohibited or restricted by social custom.
Example sentences
- It is a taboo to talk about politics at the dinner table.
- In some cultures, it is taboo to make eye contact with elders.
- Smoking in public places has become a taboo in many countries.
- In some societies, eating certain animals is considered taboo.
- Many people view discussing salary as a taboo topic.
Quotes
The more prohibitions you have, the less virtuous people will be. Try to make people moral, and you lay the groundwork for vice. – Lao Tzu
The only way to deal with taboos is to break them. – Edward Bond
Taboos are found everywhere but are notoriously difficult to study. – Sigmund Freud