desecrate

verb

des·​e·​crate ˈde-si-ˌkrāt How to pronounce desecrate (audio)
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

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
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
San Francisco Art Institute Considered the oldest art school west of the Mississippi River, the art institute is rumored to have been built on top of a graveyard, desecrating bodies in a manner that provoked the spirits. Shawna Chen, Axios, 30 Oct. 2024 And many other mounds were destroyed by amateur archeologists in the last century who desecrated the burial mounds and stole artifacts and human remains. Frank Vaisvilas, Journal Sentinel, 14 Oct. 2024 Eldest daughter Eda, de facto head of the household, seeks to salvage the compact by desecrating it. Sarah Yang, Sunset Magazine, 20 Sep. 2024 The lawsuit filed by Garcia and Martin asserted that the construction and operation of the temporary dump has in fact damaged or desecrated such sites by exposing them to toxic material, in violation of Martin’s spiritual practices. Claire Rush and Jennifer Sinco Kelleher, Los Angeles Times, 8 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for desecrate 

Word History

Etymology

de- + -secrate (as in consecrate)

First Known Use

1675, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of desecrate was in 1675

Dictionary Entries Near desecrate

Cite this Entry

“Desecrate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/desecrate. Accessed 11 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

desecrate

verb
des·​e·​crate ˈdes-i-ˌkrāt How to pronounce desecrate (audio)
desecrated; desecrating
: to treat a sacred place or sacred object shamefully or with great disrespect
desecrater noun
or desecrator
desecration
ˌdes-i-ˈkrā-shən
noun

More from Merriam-Webster on desecrate

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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