desecrate

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verb des·e·crate \ ˈde-si-ˌkrāt \

Definition of desecrate

desecrated; desecrating

transitive verb

1 :to violate the sanctity of :profane

desecrate a shrine

a cemetery desecrated by vandals

2 :to treat disrespectfully, irreverently, or outrageously

… the kind of shore development … that has desecrated so many waterfronts …
—John Fischer

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desecrater

or desecrator play \-ˌkrā-tər\ noun

See desecrate defined for English-language learners

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Examples of desecrate in a Sentence

The vandals were accused of desecrating graves.
vandals desecrated the cemetery last night by covering the tombstones with graffiti

Recent Examples of desecrate from the Web

Murat Sahbaz, 37, of Haines Mill Road in Delran, was charged with desecrating human remains.

— mari a. schaefer, Philly.com, "N.J. man dumps woman's body in woods after she dies in hotel," 11 July 2017
When a Jewish cemetery was desecrated in St. Louis earlier this year, among those raising money and investing their energies in its restoration were Muslims.

— robert king, Indianapolis Star, "A call to Muslim Ramadan prayer in a most unusual place," 23 June 2017
Since the tombstones — and sometimes even the contents of the graves — had been desecrated, damaged or removed, Mr. Izzo has made restoring both graveyards his life’s work.

— robin pogrebin, New York Times, "He Tends Venice’s Jewish History. She Filmed Him.," 30 May 2017
A third piece suggests shattered bathtubs or maybe desecrated baptismal fonts.

— New York Times, "What to See in New York Art Galleries This Week," 10 May 2017
Today, protestors for illegal immigration desecrated an American flag at Marshall Park.

— joe marusak, charlotteobserver, "Woman dragging flag at immigration rally draws congressman’s ire," 1 May 2017
One stone in one cemetery being desecrated is one stone too many.

— Newsweek, "April 28 Issue," 28 Apr. 2017
One stone in one cemetery being desecrated is one stone too many.

— Newsweek, "April 28 Issue," 28 Apr. 2017
His body was stripped of its clothes and desecrated.

— carl m. cannon, Orange County Register, "How Trump and Putin can save Syria," 9 Apr. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'desecrate.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of desecrate

de- + -secrate (as in consecrate)

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1675

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desecrate Synonyms

Synonyms

defile, profane, violate

Related Words

deconsecrate, desacralize, desanctify; blaspheme, curse, swear; befoul, contaminate, foul, poison, pollute, soil, sully, taint; affront, defame, insult, offend, outrage; annihilate, crush, decimate, demolish, desolate, destroy, devastate, ravage, raze, ruin, waste, wreck; despoil, loot, pillage, plunder, raid, ransack, rob, sack, spoil, strip

Near Antonyms

bless, consecrate, dedicate, hallow, sanctify; honor, respect; cleanse, purge, purify

DESECRATE Defined for English Language Learners

desecrate

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verb

Definition of desecrate for English Language Learners

: to damage (a holy place or object) : to treat (a holy place or object) with disrespect

DESECRATE Defined for Kids

desecrate

play

verb des·e·crate \ ˈde-si-ˌkrāt \

Definition of desecrate for Students

desecrated; desecrating

:to treat a sacred place or sacred object shamefully or with great disrespect

Learn More about desecrate

See words that rhyme with desecrate Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for desecrate Spanish Central: Translation of desecrate Nglish: Translation of desecrate for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of desecrate for Arabic speakers

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desecrate

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Examples of desecrate in a Sentence

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Origin and Etymology of desecrate

desecrate Synonyms

Synonyms

Related Words

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DESECRATE Defined for English Language Learners

desecrate

Definition of desecrate for English Language Learners

DESECRATE Defined for Kids

desecrate

Definition of desecrate for Students

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