Synonyms

desecrate

American

[des-i-kreyt] / ˈdɛs ɪˌkreɪt /

verb (used with object)

desecrated, desecrating

to divest of sacred or hallowed character or office.
to divert from a sacred to a profane use or purpose.
to treat with sacrilege; profane.

Synonyms:

outrage, pollute, dishonor, violate, defile

desecrate British

/ ˈdɛsɪˌkreɪt /

verb

to violate or outrage the sacred character of (an object or place) by destructive, blasphemous, or sacrilegious action
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

Other Word Forms

desecrater noun
desecration noun
desecrator noun
undesecrated adjective

Etymology

Origin of desecrate

First recorded in 1665–75; de- + -secrate, modeled on consecrate

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.

I regretted being honest, because in the moment, it felt as though honesty had desecrated the connection Allen and I were building.

From Los Angeles Times

“Actually, I was wondering if you had some clothes I could borrow that don’t smell completely like a desecrated pig,” Gibby said.

From Literature

“Excessively entertainment-oriented portrayals desecrate the nation’s suffering and disrespect the people who made sacrifices,” read a recent commentary published in the state-run Economic Daily newspaper.

From The Wall Street Journal

One middle-aged American man wore a cream dinner jacket to be desecrated as a souvenir.

From BBC

It calls for the reform of ancient burial laws and making desecrating a body its own offence.

From BBC

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023