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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Taken at its word, the rest of the story (which unfolds six years later) is set in 2024 but opens with Deadpool desecrating Wolverine’s shallow grave from the end of Logan. Siddhant Adlakha, Vulture, 26 July 2024 Fans once desecrated a statue of Messi in Buenos Aires. Felipe Cardenas, The Athletic, 14 July 2024 And yet a joint biography is the only kind that feels appropriate; posthumously disentangling one brother from the other seems tantamount to desecrating a corpse, for Jacob and Wilhelm were ardently inseparable. Jennifer Wilson, The New Yorker, 4 Nov. 2024 The third film sees David Howard Thornton return as the diabolical Art the Clown, who desecrates bodies left and right during the Christmas season. Michaela Zee, Variety, 14 Oct. 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 13 Dec. 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
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!