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View synonyms for desecrate

desecrate

[ des-i-kreyt ]

verb (used with object)

, des·e·crat·ed, des·e·crat·ing.
  1. to divest of sacred or hallowed character or office.
  2. to divert from a sacred to a profane use or purpose.
  3. to treat with sacrilege; profane.

    Synonyms: outrage, pollute, dishonor, violate, defile



desecrate

/ ˈdɛsɪˌkreɪt /

verb

  1. to violate or outrage the sacred character of (an object or place) by destructive, blasphemous, or sacrilegious action
  2. to remove the consecration from (a person, object, building, etc); deconsecrate
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012


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Derived Forms

  • ˈdeseˌcrator, noun
  • ˌdeseˈcration, noun
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Other Words From

  • des·e·crat·er des·e·cra·tor noun
  • des·e·cra·tion [des-i-, krey, -sh, uh, n] noun
  • un·des·e·crat·ed adjective
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Word History and Origins

Origin of desecrate1

First recorded in 1665–75; de- + -secrate, modeled on consecrate
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Word History and Origins

Origin of desecrate1

C17: from de- + consecrate
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Example Sentences

By testing them for drugs, police “desecrated” Ta’Naja’s ashes, Barnes said in the lawsuit filed against the city of Springfield and six Springfield police officers.

John Walker, when surrounded by people filming his deeds, makes a very different choice and—this cannot be emphasized enough—desecrates the symbolism of the shield by decapitating an innocent man with it.

From Time

They took selfies as they smashed windows and doors, desecrated sacred objects and paraded through the Capitol rotunda.

From Time

Scientists suspect the mud wrap may have been used to restore the body’s shape after it was desecrated, potentially by tomb robbers.

Leg fractures and other damage to the mummy’s body hint that the mud wrap may have been used to restore the body after it was desecrated, potentially by tomb robbers.

It was no human remains that he was commanded to desecrate; the bones referred to were those of Mother Earth.

Do not neglect it; do not misuse it; before all things do not defile and desecrate it.

They used to have to stop miles away, as no engine was allowed to desecrate the holy city of Pekin.

You desecrate our sacred memories when you allow small suspicions and fears to enter your thoughts of me.

Proceeding straight up to the high altar, he bent his knee before the God whose name he was now so soon to desecrate.

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Desdemonadesecration