sacred

[sey-krid]

adjective

1. devoted or dedicated to a deity or to some religious purpose; consecrated.

2. entitled to veneration or religious respect by association with divinity or divine things; holy.

   Synonyms: venerable, divine
   Antonyms: blasphemous

3. pertaining to or connected with religion (secular orprofane ).

   sacred music;

   sacred books.

4. reverently dedicated to some person, purpose, or object.

   a morning hour sacred to study.

   Synonyms: consecrated

5. regarded with reverence.

   the sacred memory of a dead hero.

   Synonyms: revered

6. secured against violation, infringement, etc., as by reverence or sense of right.

   sacred oaths; sacred rights.

   Synonyms: sacrosanct

7. properly immune from violence, interference, etc., as a person or office.

   Synonyms: inviolable, inviolate

sacred

/ ˈseɪkrɪd /

adjective

1. exclusively devoted to a deity or to some religious ceremony or use; holy; consecrated

2. worthy of or regarded with reverence, awe, or respect

3. protected by superstition or piety from irreligious actions

4. connected with or intended for religious use

   sacred music

5. dedicated to; in honour of

Other Word Forms

• sacredly adverb
• sacredness noun
• nonsacred adjective
• nonsacredly adverb
• nonsacredness noun
• pseudosacred adjective
• semisacred adjective
• supersacred adjective
• unsacred adjective
• unsacredly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of sacred¹

First recorded in 1275–1325; Middle English, originally past participle of sacren “to consecrate,” from Latin sacrāre “to devote,” derivative of sacer “holy”; -ed ²

Word History and Origins

Origin of sacred¹

C14: from Latin sacrāre to set apart as holy, from sacer holy

Synonym Study

See holy.

Example Sentences

The great and the small collide when the Tu‘itonga’s two younger children surprisingly appear on Bird Island, led by the middle son, a “wayfinder” who has learned the sacred craft of celestial navigation.

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They are eager to make the faith the centerpiece of their lives, led by clergy steeped in the Gospel and sacred tradition.

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He told the broadcasters ominously: “Gentlemen, your trust accounting with your beneficiaries is overdue. . . . There is nothing permanent or sacred about a broadcast license.”

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An ardent Japanese nationalist, Takaichi was born in Nara, a prefecture famous for the sacred deer that draw thousands of tourists to its principal city each year.

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On the stump, Takaichi talked about “reconsidering” Japan’s immigration policies and in one eye-catching remark said tourists were harming the sacred deer in Nara, a city in her home prefecture that draws many visitors.

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Related Words

• cherished www.thesaurus.com
• divine 
• hallowed 
• religious 
• revered 
• solemn 
• spiritual