sacred

sacred

adjective

Definition of SACRED

1

not to be violated, criticized, or tampered with <the sacred trust that exists between elected officials and the electorate>

Synonyms hallowed, holy, inviolable, sacrosanct, unassailable, untouchable

Related Words inviolate, pure; privileged, protected, secure, shielded; exempt, immune

Near Antonyms blasphemous, irreverent, profane, sacrilegious

2

of, relating to, or being God <a sacred name that must not be uttered in vain>

Synonyms blessed (also blest), divine, godlike, godly, heavenly, sacred, supernatural

Related Words eternal, everlasting, immortal; all-powerful, almighty, omnipotent, omniscient, supreme

Near Antonyms human, mortal, natural

3

of, relating to, or used in the practice or worship services of a religion <a sacred chalice>

Synonyms devotional, sacred, spiritual

Related Words blessed (also blest), consecrated, hallowed, holy, sacrosanct, sanctified; solemn; liturgical, ritual, sacramental; semireligious, semisacred

Near Antonyms earthly, mundane, terrene, terrestrial, worldly

Antonyms nonreligious, profane, secular

4

set apart or worthy of veneration by association with God <the sacred bones of a saint>

Synonyms blessed (also blest), consecrate, consecrated, hallowed, sacral, sacred, sacrosanct, sanctified

Related Words adored, enshrined, glorified, revered, venerated, worshipped (also worshiped); ceremonial, liturgical, priestly, religious, ritual, sacramental, spiritual; biblical, scriptural

Near Antonyms nonreligious, unspiritual; earthly, mundane, profane, secular, temporal, worldly

Antonyms deconsecrated, desacralized, unconsecrated, unhallowed

5

deserving honor and respect especially by reason of age <the alumni procession at graduation is one of the college's most sacred traditions, dating back over a hundred years>

Synonyms hallowed, revered, reverend, sacred, venerated

Related Words honorable, reputable, respectable; considered, esteemed, honored, respected, reverenced; admirable, distinguished, estimable, redoubtable, worthy; good, moral, noble, righteous

Near Antonyms bad, discreditable, disgraceful, dishonorable, disreputable, ignominious, infamous, loose, notorious, shameful; immoral, seamy, shadowy, shady, sordid, unsavory, vile, wicked; base, contemptible, despicable, detestable, dirty, low, mean, wretched