forbidden marriage
Outlawed romantic bond
A forbidden marriage is a union prohibited by law, religion, or social custom.
Historically, prohibitions have targeted interracial couples, same-sex partners, close relatives, or people of different faiths or castes.
What counts as forbidden varies dramatically across cultures and eras—marriages once criminal may become unremarkable within a generation.
Their forbidden marriage scandalized both families.
- tabooCultural or social prohibition
- elopementSecret departure to wed
- secretConcealed information
- clandestineConcealed from authorities
- scandalDisgraceful public affair
run away together · dowry · arranged · Romeo · Juliet · star-crossed lovers · star-crossed · lovers · defiance · caste · class divide · bloodline · outcast · vows · runaway · moonlit · whispered · family
- Secret Marriagessecret wedding, secret engagement, elopement, private vows, Gretna Green
- secret groupssecret society, cabal, Freemasons, cult, coven
- church offensesheresy, apostasy, schism, blasphemy, sacrilege
forbidden marriagelegal marriage
Officially sanctioned spousal union
arranged marriage · valid marriage · civil marriage · dynastic marriage · marriage of convenience
forbidden, forbid, forbids, forbidding, forbade, forbiddance, marriage, marries, married