sacrosanct

sac·ro·sanct | \ ˈsa-krō-ˌsaŋ(k)t

How to pronounce sacrosanct (audio)

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Definition of sacrosanct

1 : most sacred or holy : inviolable

2 : treated as if holy : immune from criticism or violation politically sacrosanct programs

Other Words from sacrosanct Synonyms Did You Know? More Example Sentences Learn More about sacrosanct

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Did You Know?

That which is sacrosanct is doubly sacred: the two Latin components underlying the word, "sacro" and "sanctus," were combined long ago to form a phrase meaning "hallowed by a sacred rite." Sacro means "by a sacred rite" and comes from "sacrum," a Latin noun that lives on in English anatomy as the name for our pelvic vertebrae-a shortening of "os sacrum," which literally means "holy bone." Sanctus means "sacred" and gave us "saint" and obvious words like "sanctimony," "sanctify," and "sanctuary."

Examples of sacrosanct in a Sentence

the government's most sacrosanct institutions The tradition is regarded as sacrosanct.

Recent Examples on the Web Retirement accounts and other assets Personal-finance experts have long considered the proverbial nest egg to be sacrosanct. — Kevin Kelleher, Time, "How to Find Emergency Money — and Avoid Tax Problems in the Future," 14 May 2020 Farrow casts journalism as a blameless and sacrosanct profession, tinged by the silver screen. — Anne Diebel, The New York Review of Books, "The Good Guy," 28 Jan. 2020 The ballot box is where Trump’s poor ethical behavior should have been addressed, not the sacrosanct tool of impeachment. — Letter Writers, Twin Cities, "Letters: ‘Nobody knows what sort may come afterwards’," 29 Dec. 2019 The director shared his cellphone number, visitors gave nicknames to employees and bingo games were sacrosanct. — Tracey Tully, New York Times, "‘The Whole Place Is Sick Now’: 72 Deaths at a Home for U.S. Veterans," 10 May 2020 Lawrence was a creature of habit, so our phone conversations every Monday and Thursday were sacrosanct. — Sarah Enelow-snyder, New York Times, "How Becoming Guardian to an Adult Prepared Me for Motherhood," 25 Mar. 2020 At the same time, the administration has made clear in words and deeds that arms control would not be considered sacrosanct. — Tim Morrison, National Review, "Ending China’s Arms-Control Free Ride," 6 Mar. 2020 Chefs agree that’s sacrosanct, along with turkey and stuffing, fresh cranberries and mashed potatoes. — Amy Drew Thompson, orlandosentinel.com, "Hotel chefs say scarf the turkey and skip the dishes this Thanksgiving," 25 Oct. 2019 The 1788 Constitution, which Caldwell holds up as sacrosanct, legitimized human slavery. — New York Times, "Bogus Populism and Bad Music," 31 Jan. 2020

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'sacrosanct.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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Dictionary Entries near sacrosanct

sacrosciatic foramen

sacrosciatic notch

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Last Updated

28 May 2020

Cite this Entry

“Sacrosanct.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sacrosanct. Accessed 4 Jun. 2020.

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