1
as in desecration
an act of great disrespect shown to God or to sacred ideas, people, or things
for two centuries the Christian monasteries in England suffered defilements at the hands of Viking invaders
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in contamination
something that is or that makes impure
souvenir shops, observation towers, and other tacky defilements on Civil War battlefields that should be considered hallowed ground
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for defilement
Noun
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In the 1989 case Texas v. Johnson, the Court ruled that flag desecration is protected under the First Amendment.—
Matt Robison,
Newsweek,
25 Feb. 2025 -
For some fans, the changes may feel like a desecration.—
Jesse Green,
New York Times,
11 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Heavy metal toxicity: Reports of heavy metal contamination in turmeric (e.g., lead, arsenic, cadmium, nickel, and other heavy metals) also exist.—
Regina C. Windsor, MPH, RDN,
Verywell Health,
30 Apr. 2025
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Over 1,700 pounds of Cabot Creamery butter recalled: Finding suggests fecal contamination Cold and flu medicine recalled over potential child poisoning: See affected product Where was the apple juice distributed?—
Jonathan Limehouse,
USA Today,
27 Apr. 2025
Noun
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The firm sued, calling the order a violation of the Constitution's First Amendment protections against government abridgment of speech and Fifth Amendment guarantee of due process - a requirement for the government to use a fair legal process.—
Mike Scarcella and David Thomas,
USA Today,
3 May 2025
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Under South Korean law, anyone who receives a fine exceeding 1 million won ($683) for election law violations is barred from seeking office for five years.—
Hyung-Jin Kim,
Los Angeles Times,
1 May 2025
Noun
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By removing carrion from the environment, vultures contribute to nutrient recycling and keep contaminants from festering in soil and water.—
Jack Knudson,
Discover Magazine,
9 May 2025
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Independent testing confirms that the supplement contains the ingredients listed on the label and is free from harmful contaminants.—
Lauren O'Connor,
Health,
7 May 2025
Noun
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For this theme to have been chosen only after the tragic passing of pioneering fashion icon, long-time Vogue editor-at-large, and unmistakable dandy, Andre Leon Talley, is a sort of blasphemy.—
Akilah Sailers,
Essence,
28 Apr. 2025
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While Christians born into the faith are free to practice, Iran’s Shariah laws state that abandoning Islam for another religion is considered blasphemy, punishable by death.—
Farnaz Fassihi,
New York Times,
23 Feb. 2025
Noun
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Researchers from the University of Texas recently patrolled the neighborhoods in Altadena and the Pacific Palisades, and, according to a report by The New York Times, found particles of pollutants five times greater than normal.—
Dana O'Neil,
New York Times,
1 May 2025
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Now, six key air pollutants have dropped by about 80 percent since the law’s passage, according to this year’s report.—
Lillian Ali,
Smithsonian Magazine,
25 Apr. 2025
Noun
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In practice, the memo explained, the reports should be scrubbed of references such as those to prison abuses, government corruption, and locking up dissidents without due process.—
Gal Beckerman,
The Atlantic,
1 May 2025
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That focus on wholesome foods, drug safety, and eliminating corruption in pharmaceuticals and the food industry has justifiably captured public enthusiasm.—
Matt Robison,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Such a transformation would represent an irrevocable loss: a profound sacrilege not only to the city’s rich history but also to the cultural legacy for the future generations.—
Ryan Lattanzio,
IndieWire,
23 Feb. 2025
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For many liberals and radicals, beginning with Lord Byron, Elgin was a vandal who had committed sacrilege.—
Ralph Leonard,
The Atlantic,
4 Feb. 2025
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Cite this Entry
“Defilement.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/defilement. Accessed 14 May. 2025.
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