desecrate

verb

des·​e·​crate ˈde-si-ˌkrāt 

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

desecrater noun

or desecrator

ˈde-si-ˌkrā-tər 

Synonyms

• violate

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

During the French Revolution, Louis XIV’s tomb was desecrated and his remains scattered. —Helen I. Bennett, Hartford Courant, 23 July 2025

Blevins is facing one count of desecrating human remains and another for hindering apprehension in connection with the case. —Jessica Schladebeck, New York Daily News, 9 Jan. 2025

To approximate that art entirely by proxy, without confronting the drama, is to desecrate it. —Sheldon Pearce, NPR, 17 June 2025

Anyone who desecrates these sacred places will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. —Stephen Sorace, FOXNews.com, 16 Apr. 2025

Word History

Etymology

de- + -secrate (as in consecrate)

First Known Use

1675, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for desecrate

• abdicate
• abrogate
• acetate
• activate
• actuate
• adsorbate
• aggravate
• agitate
• alginate
• alienate
• allocate
• amputate

Kids Definition

desecrate

verb

des·​e·​crate ˈdes-i-ˌkrāt 

desecrated; desecrating

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

desecrater noun

or desecrator

-ˌkrāt-ər 

desecration

ˌdes-i-ˈkrā-shən

noun