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
  • But if a parent doesn't care if the line gets crossed – well, that's a no-no.
    — Christopher Elliott, USA TODAY, 20 Dec. 2024
  • That seems to have been a no-no in the past, but CBS highlighted them.
    — Reader Commentary, Baltimore Sun, 3 Feb. 2024
  • Another no-no is trying to go all the way down to the floor.
    — Christa Sgobba, SELF, 18 Oct. 2024
  • That’s a big no-no, be prepared for a lot of rough looks [from people].
    — Nate Jackson, Los Angeles Times, 4 Mar. 2025
  • And the grass was synthetic, which was also a no-no for a World Cup.
    — Kevin Baxter, Los Angeles Times, 26 Mar. 2025
  • And the grass was synthetic, which was also a no-no for a World Cup.
    — Kevin Baxter, Los Angeles Times, 26 Mar. 2025
  • 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
  • Peanut oil is also a no-no as some guests may have allergies.
    — Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 6 Dec. 2024
  • Secured area or no, pre-singing blank prescription forms is a no-no.
    — David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 7 Feb. 2025
  • 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
  • Unfortunately, that's a big no-no for Southerners across the board.
    — Catherine Jessee, Southern Living, 29 Mar. 2025

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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