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taboo
[tuh-boo, ta-]
adjective
proscribed by society as improper or unacceptable.
Taboo language is usually bleeped on TV.
Synonyms:Antonyms: ,prohibited or excluded from use or practice.
In art school, painting from photographs was taboo.
(among the Polynesians and other peoples of the South Pacific) separated or set apart as sacred; forbidden for general use; placed under a prohibition or ban.
Synonyms: ,
noun
plural
taboosa prohibition or interdiction of anything; exclusion from use or practice.
One of the strongest taboos in all modern societies is against incest.
Synonyms: , , , ,(among the Polynesians and other peoples of the South Pacific)
the system, practice, or act whereby things are set apart as sacred, forbidden for general use, or placed under a prohibition or interdiction.
the condition of being so set apart, forbidden, or interdicted.
exclusion from social relations; ostracism.
verb (used with object)
to put under a taboo; prohibit or forbid.
Synonyms: , , ,Antonyms: , ,to ostracize (a person, group, etc.).
While he is tabooed, no one may speak to him.
taboo
/ əˈː /
adjective
forbidden or disapproved of; placed under a social prohibition or ban
taboo words
(in Polynesia and other islands of the South Pacific) marked off as simultaneously sacred and forbidden
noun
any prohibition resulting from social or other conventions
ritual restriction or prohibition, esp of something that is considered holy or unclean
verb
(tr) to place under a taboo
taboo
A descriptive term for words, objects, actions, or people that are forbidden by a group or culture. The expression comes from the religion of islanders of the South Pacific.
51Թ History and Origins
Origin of taboo1
51Թ History and Origins
Origin of taboo1
Synonym Study
Example Sentences
I do that on purpose as well, particularly with my stand-up where I talk about contentious issues and taboo subjects because I do want to take the audience to a place they haven’t been before.
“In many families and cultures, money is a taboo topic. I believe children learn a lot from open conversation. Humanizing a message makes it more relatable and therefore more powerful.”
Her outrageous request is granted after she dances the dance of the seven veils for her besotted stepfather, in a play that careens into multiple taboos under biblical cover.
In line with the playwright’s other works, Mason expresses taboos through shimmering poetry and creative multipart casting that gives actors a chance to showcase their flexibility and range.
She specializes in exploring taboo topics and complex questions that help humans understand their place in the world.
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When To Use
Taboo describes an activity or behavior that is considered completely unacceptable or forbidden. A taboo is also the prohibition from engaging in such an activity or behavior through social rules, laws, religious doctrine, and even by your own conscience.Something considered taboo is considered unacceptable by the vast majority of a person’s social group. Often, there is a serious punishment for performing the taboo activity.Many activities that we refer to as crimes are examples of taboos, such as theft, murder, and kidnapping. These activities are considered unacceptable by the government or the law and have strict punishments.Sacred religious writings also outline specific activities as taboo and shouldn’t be done by the religion’s followers. For example, Jewish law considers pork to be taboo, so many Jewish people do not eat pork.Sometimes, taboos are so unacceptable to a society that laws are not needed to forbid people from doing them. Even thinking about them or reading about them can make you feel disgusted, which gives you an idea of how powerful the label of taboo can be.
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