desecration
Americannoun
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the act of treating something sacred or solemn in a sacrilegious or disrespectful way.
Many locals opposed the use of their former church building as a courthouse, feeling that conducting civil matters there would be a desecration of a holy place.
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the act of ruining or violating something revered or greatly valued.
Greedy corporations are contributing to the demise of civilization and the desecration of the ecosystem.
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of desecration
Explanation
Desecration is a type of behavior that disrespects the sacredness or holiness of something. Words and actions that are offensive to a religion could be considered acts of desecration. Swearing in church is a type of desecration. Destroying a tombstone is a type of desecration. Depending on the religion, taking God's name in vain could be considered desecration. This word means something close to blasphemy or sacrilege. Sometimes, desecration is used in non-religious contexts, when an idea people care about is treated disrespectfully.
Vocabulary lists containing desecration
The Bluest Eye
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Texas v. Johnson (1989)
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Along with the families of other victims whose bodies were destroyed, Mr O'Leary's relatives are backing Helen's Law Part Two: Stop the Desecration.
From BBC • Jul. 14, 2025
The majority of the members in Congress were unhappy about this incident and passed the Federal Flag Desecration Law, which prohibited individuals from displaying any type of “contempt” against the flag.
From Encyclopedia.com • Jun. 6, 2018
He played bass in several punk, ska and heavy metal bands: Dance Hall Crashers, Corrupted Morals, Bumblescrump and Desecration.
From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 20, 2017
Freddie complains that he is broke, but he should get a bit of a boost from the publication in August of his book, Desecration of My Kingdom.
From Time Magazine Archive
Desecration can only begin after consecration has taken place.'
From The Adventures of Elizabeth in Rügen by Arnim, Elizabeth von
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
