desecration

American  

[des-i-krey-shuhn] / dɛs ɪˈkreɪ ʃən /

noun

1. 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.

2. 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

• nondesecration noun

Etymology

Origin of desecration

desecr(ate) + -ation ( def. )

Example Sentences

Indigenous residents protest the potential desecration of their ancestral land.

From The Wall Street Journal

She said she wanted to "unleash the spirit of Lincolnshire" against "the planned desecration of our countryside".

From BBC

"That original taking was illicit, was unethical, was a form of desecration," he told BBC News NI.

From BBC

At least two desecrations have occurred so far.

From Los Angeles Times

Local authorities say four suspects have been arrested over the desecration, but their identities have not been made public.

From BBC

Related Words

• blasphemy