profanation

noun

prof·​a·​na·​tion ˌprä-fə-ˈnā-shən How to pronounce profanation (audio)
ˌprō-
: the act or an instance of profaning

Examples of profanation in a Sentence

the First Book of the Maccabees tells of the profanation of the temple of Jerusalem by Antiochus IV Epiphanes in 167 B.C.
Recent Examples on the Web No tear-floods, nor sigh-tempests move; ’Twere profanation of our joys To tell the laity our love. John Edgar Wideman, The New Yorker, 8 July 2021 The first assault is on the Nile itself, which is turned to blood, thereby ruining both agriculture and aquaculture in one swoop, a profanation with religious consequences. Kevin D. Williamson, National Review, 28 Nov. 2019 His family has argued that the exhumation would amount to profanation of a burial site, and said the only alternative resting place for Franco should be inside the crypt of the Madrid cathedral, a suggestion that the government found unacceptable. Raphael Minder, New York Times, 4 June 2019

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'profanation.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1552, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of profanation was in 1552

Dictionary Entries Near profanation

Cite this Entry

“Profanation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/profanation. Accessed 18 Mar. 2024.

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