Tabooed

The past tense and past participle of the verb 'taboo,' meaning to forbid or prohibit something, especially a custom, word, or action, due to religious, social, or cultural restrictions. Things that are tabooed are considered off-limits, forbidden, or morally unacceptable within a specific group or society. This prohibition often stems from a belief that the act, word, or practice is sacred, dangerous, or polluting. The severity of the taboo can vary, ranging from minor social awkwardness to severe legal or religious penalties. Taboos are often deeply ingrained in the cultural fabric, passed down through generations, and serve as a means of maintaining social order and cohesion.

Tabooed meaning with examples

• In Victorian England, open discussions about sex and childbirth were tabooed, leading to a culture of silence and discretion. This meant that people could only talk about these topics in private, if at all, to those that you knew. Public displays of affection between couples were also heavily tabooed, and a chaperone had to be present.
• The tribe, after losing many of its members in the recent battle, tabooed speaking the names of the fallen, fearing it would attract more misfortune. This restriction was strictly enforced and the members who broke this rule were ostracized from all events, making them outcasts.
• For decades, certain scientific research areas, like gene editing on human embryos, were heavily tabooed, due to ethical concerns. Many scientific and religious groups felt that this went against the sanctity of life.
• The use of certain slang terms or curse words was tabooed within the family, primarily because of the values that they upheld. Breaking this rule resulted in the guilty party losing out on privileges, like video game time.