taboo
[noun]
Synonyms:
- prohibition, anathema, ban, interdict, proscription, restriction
[adjective]
Synonyms:
- forbidden, anathema, banned, outlawed, prohibited, proscribed, unacceptable, unmentionable

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Contrasted words: acceptance, toleration, approval, authorization, permission, permit, permittance
Related Words: inhibition, limitation, reservation, restraint, restriction, regulation, sanction, don't

[TahlilGaran] English Synonym Dictionary ▲

I. ta‧boo¹ /təˈbuː, tæ-/ adjective
[Date: 1700-1800; Language: Tongan; Origin: tabu]

1. a taboo subject, word, activity etc is one that people avoid because it is extremely offensive or embarrassing:
Rape is a taboo subject.

2. not accepted as socially correct:
It’s taboo to date a man a lot younger than you.

3. too holy or evil to be touched or used

[TahlilGaran] Dictionary of Contemporary English ▲

II. taboo² noun (plural taboos) [countable]
a custom that says you must avoid a particular activity or subject, either because it is considered offensive or because your religion does not allow it
taboo about/on/against
There are taboos against appearing naked in public places.

[TahlilGaran] Dictionary of Contemporary English ▲

taboo
adj.
VERBS be | become | remain | consider sth, regard sth as Sex is considered taboo as a topic for discussion.
ADV. strictly The subject of death was strictly taboo in their society.
PREP. to Such work was taboo to women.

[TahlilGaran] Collocations Dictionary ▲

taboo
noun
ADJ. rigid, strict | deep-seated | cultural, gender, religious, sexual, social | incest
VERB + TABOO observe his failure to observe the tribe's rigid taboos
break, flout, violate | break down the problem of breaking down deep-seated cultural taboos
reinforce
TABOO + NOUN subject
PREP. ~ about the taboo about religion in British society
~ against the taboo against marrying a foreigner
~ on reinforcing their taboos on sexuality
~ surrounding the taboos surrounding menstruation

[TahlilGaran] Collocations Dictionary ▲

taboo

a social taboo
There is a social taboo against expressing negative views of other races.
a sexual taboo
The old sexual taboos had disappeared.
break/violate a taboo
He is willing to break the taboo about discussing the effects of large-scale immigration.
observe a taboo (=not do something that is considered offensive or unacceptable)
The Kalenjin people of Kenya still observe a taboo against eating fish.
the taboo surrounding something (=relating to something)
John's work did much to remove the taboo surrounding the disease.

[TahlilGaran] Collocations Dictionary ▲