sacrosanct
adjective
Did you know?
Contrary to the beliefs of some, language is not sacrosanct; rather, it is subject to constant modification based on the needs, experiences, and even whims of those who use it. Take the word sacrosanct itself, which likely comes from the Latin phrase sacro sanctus meaning “made holy by a sacred rite.” There’s a definite semantic softening from that to the “too important and respected to be changed or criticized” meaning of sacrosanct. But holy moly, has sanctus led to a whole bunch of other English words with truly pious flavor, from saint and sanctimony to sanctify and sanctuary. Sacrum (“a sacred rite”), whence came the sacro in sacro sanctus, is no slouch either, living on in English anatomy as the name for our pelvic vertebrae—a shortening of os sacrum, which literally means “holy bone.”
Examples of sacrosanct in a Sentence
Daniela Avila, PEOPLE, 10 Sep. 2025
Independence of monetary policy has long been considered sacrosanct—the bedrock of global confidence in the dollar.
—Dan Perry, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Sep. 2025
Cook’s lawsuit sets the stage for what could be a high-stakes legal battle with major implications for the Fed and the power of the presidency, even as Trump moves to consolidate his hold over parts of the government once considered sacrosanct and free from political influence.
—Bryan Mena, CNN Money, 28 Aug. 2025
Idaho politics have traditionally held the independence of local government as sacrosanct.
—Audrey Dutton, ProPublica, 26 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for sacrosanct
Cite this Entry
“Sacrosanct.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sacrosanct. Accessed 18 Sep. 2025.
Copy Citation
Share