desecrate

verb

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des·e·crate | \ ˈde-si-ˌkrāt

\

desecrated; desecrating

Definition of desecrate

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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Synonyms for desecrate

Synonyms

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 on the Web However, the new president did speak of the attempt to desecrate democracy, which has yielded more than 100 arrests and charges. — Donna Owens, Essence, "An Inauguration Day of ‘History and Hope’," 21 Jan. 2021 Issac tried not to do anything that would desecrate Shabbos for the rest of the family. — Larissa Macfarquhar, The New Yorker, "When One Parent Leaves a Hasidic Community, What Happens to the Kids?," 30 Nov. 2020 Some historians say expanding the Beltway into the private cemetery off Seven Locks Road would desecrate an important piece of African American history. — Washington Post, "Maryland Beltway expansion might require moving part of historical African American cemetery," 17 Oct. 2020 Leave it to Trump to desecrate the nominating process for the Nobel Peace Prize on his way out. — Sarah Midkiff, refinery29.com, "Who Exactly Nominated Trump For A Nobel Peace Prize? Not Anyone From America," 9 Sep. 2020 To destroy a monument is to desecrate our common inheritance. — Dominick Mastrangelo, Washington Examiner, "Don Lemon: People should 'unlearn' Civil War 'propaganda' to understand movement to take down Confederate statues," 7 July 2020 To destroy a monument is to desecrate our common inheritance. — Dominick Mastrangelo, Washington Examiner, "Don Lemon: People should 'unlearn' Civil War 'propaganda' to understand movement to take down Confederate statues," 7 July 2020 Telescope opponents said the project would desecrate land considered sacred by some Native Hawaiians. — Fox News, "Science foundation discusses funding giant Hawaii telescope," 21 Aug. 2020 House Freedom Caucus Republicans called on Attorney General William Barr and FBI Director Christopher Wray to prosecute those who desecrate and tear down monuments and statues across the country. — Kerry Picket, Washington Examiner, "Freedom Caucus calls on Barr and Wray to arrest and prosecute monument vandals," 25 June 2020

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.