desecrate

1 of 2

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 

desecrater

2 of 2

noun

des·​e·​crat·​er

variants or desecrator

-ˌkrātə(r) 

plural -s

: one that desecrates

Synonyms of desecrate

Verb

• violate

Examples of desecrate in a Sentence

Verb

The vandals were accused of desecrating graves.

vandals desecrated the cemetery last night by covering the tombstones with graffiti

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

The penalty is identical to that for desecrating the flag or other national emblem of a foreign state, which was already in place. — News Desk, Artforum, 17 July 2026

There is simply no reason to desecrate a Miller Lite like this. — Amber Harding Outkick, FOXNews.com, 14 July 2026

His name no longer desecrates this sacred memorial, which belongs to the American people. — Anastasia Tsioulcas, NPR, 8 July 2026

One is about civic commonality, the other about authoritarian cynicism; one is about a city pulling together around a common pleasure, the other about desecrating the decorum of democracy. — Adam Gopnik, New Yorker, 21 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

Verb

de- + -secrate (as in consecrate)

First Known Use

Verb

1675, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for desecrate

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

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