social taboo
Unspoken societal ban
A social taboo is a behavior, topic, or practice that a community considers forbidden or deeply inappropriate to discuss or engage in openly.
Taboos vary across cultures and eras—what's taboo in one society may be unremarkable in another.
Common social taboos include incest, cannibalism, and certain bodily functions.
Discussing salary is a social taboo in many workplaces.
- forbiddenNot allowed
- off limitsProhibited from access
- shamePainful awareness of failure
- stigmaMark of dishonor
- unspokenNot verbally expressed
don't ask · transgression · scandal · disgrace · behind closed doors · obscene · profane · indecent · improper · outcast · shunned · whispered · dirty · sinful · deviant · shocking · unspeakable · crude
- forbidden loveforbidden love, forbidden romance, illicit love, secret love, forbidden fruit
social taboosocial norm
Shared behavioral expectation
custom · tradition · social convention · common courtesy · etiquette
social, society, societal, socialize, socialization, sociable, sociability, socially, antisocial