How to Use no-no in a Sentence

no-no

noun
  • That’s a basic no-no in lacrosse, from the pee-wee leagues to the pros.
    Mike Preston, Baltimore Sun, 27 May 2023
  • South Sudan turned the ball over 19 times, a big no-no as the U.S. thrives in the open floor.
    Rohan Nadkarni, NBC News, 31 July 2024
  • That seems to have been a no-no in the past, but CBS highlighted them.
    Reader Commentary, Baltimore Sun, 3 Feb. 2024
  • Loose shoes — like, flip-flops ― are a no-no, and so is going barefoot.
    Frank Witsil, Detroit Free Press, 2 May 2024
  • But being glued to your screen at a networking event is a no-no.
    Ginny Hogan, Forbes, 14 Feb. 2024
  • Rototilling won’t speed up soil warming and is still a no-no.
    Jeff Lowenfels, Anchorage Daily News, 2 June 2023
  • Those rules, of course, are legendary, if unwritten: Cleavage is a no-no.
    Emily Zemler, Allure, 13 Dec. 2023
  • That’s typically a no-no, and a great way to shorten the life of cables, and even connections.
    PCMAG, 26 Jan. 2024
  • As for the use of Roundup or other glyphosate products to hit individual weeds, this, too, is a no-no.
    Jeff Lowenfels, Anchorage Daily News, 27 Apr. 2023
  • Trekking, tent, or ski poles with visible cracks or discoloration are a no-no.
    Kelly Klein, Outside Online, 4 Feb. 2023
  • This is a no-no anywhere there are other people within earshot.
    Kurt Knutsson, Fox News, 12 Oct. 2023
  • Sale never flirted with a no-no, but lasted longer than Snell struck out one more batter than the Giants lefty.
    Danny Emerman, The Mercury News, 12 Aug. 2024
  • The syrup is high in sugar, which is a major no-no for dogs, according to the American Kennel Club.
    USA TODAY, 5 Feb. 2024
  • And beards remain a no-no for men, although some faculty and students have been pushing for that ban to end.
    Peggy Fletcher Stack, The Salt Lake Tribune, 24 Aug. 2023
  • Another telltale sign of a weak argument is to shift ground when stuck -- a no-no in any debate.
    Bruce Blair, Foreign Affairs, 16 June 2011
  • Patches prevent you from picking at or squeezing the blister, which is a major no-no.
    Danielle Sinay, Glamour, 7 Feb. 2024
  • The biggest fashion no-no’s and the best closet essentials, according to stylist Ann-Marie Hoang.
    Shelby Grad, Los Angeles Times, 16 July 2024
  • Winner: The Phillies, for now, but mostly anyone in attendance at Lorenzen’s no-no.
    Ryan Ford, Detroit Free Press, 29 July 2024
  • He’s been quiet for years–which is a big no-no for many in the pop world–and before that, some of his latest offerings underperformed.
    Hugh McIntyre, Forbes, 1 Mar. 2024
  • That’s a no-no because the jury’s only job is deciding guilt or innocence — the judge gets to decide the sentence.
    Anita Chabria, Los Angeles Times, 30 May 2024
  • Guests can roam the galleries with craft cocktails in hand, a typical no-no in the average museum.
    Caleb Wiegandt, The Courier-Journal, 3 July 2023
  • In golf any infraction is a no-no, to the extent that players are expected to call their own fouls for the slightest infringement.
    David Papineau, WSJ, 14 Dec. 2023
  • This one might seem obvious, but items that can topple, anything low made out of glass, or pieces with sharp corners are a big no-no with a munchkin running around.
    Ariel Okin, Vogue, 23 Feb. 2024
  • Definite no-no’s: Snooping through the hostess’ medicine cabinet or asking for a to-go plate.
    Charlottefive Staff, Charlotte Observer, 31 Jan. 2024
  • So screening a flick like the 2004 comedy hit Anchorman, which shows lead character Ron Burgundy in a state of arousal, might be a no-no.
    Lauren McGaughy, Dallas News, 24 Apr. 2023
  • The Joe Rogan Experience Podcasting no-no’s learned the hard way?
    Julian Sancton, The Hollywood Reporter, 12 Aug. 2024
  • The swords used in the production are made of wood, but treating them irreverently — stepping over them, for instance — is a no-no.
    Celia Wren, Washington Post, 15 Mar. 2023
  • Some leggings are simply too thin to wear to barre (biker shorts are a big no-no) and cannot handle the resistance and friction of exercise bands.
    Stephanie Osmanski, Southern Living, 27 Mar. 2024
  • Speaking of booze, drinking alcohol in a gondola is another across-the-board no-no at North American resorts, even if it’s rarely enforced.
    Frederick Dreier, Outside Online, 24 Sep. 2024
  • No open toed shoes—but heels aren’t mainstream either Another agreed upon no-no for appropriate office attire is open-toed shoes.
    Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 1 Oct. 2024

Some of these examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'no-no.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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