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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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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The contamination was discovered through routine sampling procedures, and the recall is being conducted with the knowledge of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).—
Adeola Adeosun,
MSNBC Newsweek,
11 May 2025
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Canned beans were recalled over an undeclared allergen, and tomatoes were impacted due to possible Salmonella contamination. Do not eat these products, and toss or return them instead.—
Jenna Anderson,
Health,
9 May 2025
Noun
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The complaint at the crux of Lopez v. Apple is a violation of privacy.—
Mary Walrath-Holdridge,
USA Today,
15 May 2025
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That's a seeming violation of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), Noyb alleged.—
Ashley Belanger – May 14,
ArsTechnica,
14 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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Research has found strong associations between exposure to air pollutants like polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, indoor toxins like formaldehyde and higher cancer risk — particularly for lung, breast, prostate, and even melanoma.—
Jesse Pines,
Forbes.com,
10 May 2025
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The data also don’t include airborne pollutants — including automobile exhaust — which could also contribute to the disease.—
Paul Smaglik,
Discover Magazine,
9 May 2025
Noun
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The Boston City Council will take up a resolution this week that calls for disgraced Councilor Tania Fernandes Anderson’s removal from the body in the wake of her guilty plea to two federal corruption charges tied to a City Hall kickback scheme.—
Gayla Cawley,
Boston Herald,
13 May 2025
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However, rumors swirled about his luxury lifestyle and possible corruption and eventually led to federal charges in 2007.—
David Matthews,
New York Daily News,
12 May 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 20 May. 2025.
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