defilement

noun

Definition of defilementnext
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

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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

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of defilement In this way, Lapid keeps the emotional aspect of Y’s self-defilement at the forefront of the drama. — Richard Brody, New Yorker, 27 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for defilement
  1. desecration
  2. contamination
  3. violation
  4. contaminant
  5. blasphemy
  6. pollutant
  7. corruption
  8. sacrilege
Noun
  • When Debbie, Susan, and Thom come over for a double-date pizza night, only Bret is concerned about the spate of recent home invasions, the missing pets, and the desecration of the griffin mascot.
    — Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 6 Aug. 2026
  • He was convicted of offenses including desecration of national symbols, contempt and public ​disorder, and spent five years in the Guanajay prison near Havana.
    — Reuters, NBC news, 19 July 2026
Definition of desecration
Noun
  • The lawsuit alleges doctors screened Belgio for bacteria and identified several pathogens that attorneys say are associated with shellfish contamination.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 11 Aug. 2026
  • This comes after Coast Citrus Distributors, one of Taylor Farms’ suppliers, voluntarily recalled fresh jalapeños because of potential salmonella contamination.
    — Helen Carefoot, Flow Space, 10 Aug. 2026
Definition of contamination
Noun
  • Despite that, the students were still found responsible for the indoor protest ban violation.
    — Ana Maria Soler, CBS News, 12 Aug. 2026
  • He was arrested on suspicion of felony vandalism, as well as a probation violation, and booked into the Main Jail in San Jose.
    — Jason Green, Mercury News, 11 Aug. 2026
Definition of violation
Noun
  • Air contaminant source construction/installation without proper plan approval.
    — Meghan Schiller, CBS News, 10 Aug. 2026
  • Hydrogen sulfide is a colorless gas and can smell like rotten eggs, signaling other contaminants may be in the area as well.
    — Alexiah Syrai Olsen, Sacbee.com, 10 Aug. 2026
Definition of contaminant
Noun
  • If the state decides to officially charge him with blasphemy, Pragiwaksono could go to trial.
    — Ethan Shanfeld, Variety, 30 July 2026
  • Astorino, the textbook author, went so far as to decry the showcase as something close to blasphemy.
    — John Semley, Harpers Magazine, 28 July 2026
Definition of blasphemy
Noun
  • Currently, scientists don't have a precise understanding of the chemical reactions that occur between the pollutants and the atmospheric gases at high altitudes.
    — Tereza Pultarova, Space.com, 11 Aug. 2026
  • Ocean Friendly Gardens restores healthy watersheds by using native plants to filter pollutants and soak up extra water and by upgrading landscapes to maintain rainwater runoff and direct water back into the ground instead of storm drains.
    — Alexiah Syrai Olsen, Sacbee.com, 10 Aug. 2026
Definition of pollutant
Noun
  • But the judge also noted Krneta’s dual role in facilitating the corruption of Tobolski, both paying bribes and collecting extortion payments from other contractors on the then-mayor’s behalf.
    — Jason Meisner, Chicago Tribune, 13 Aug. 2026
  • The election demanded by Reform UK's leader, who faces corruption accusations, has turned into a punch line after major parties dismissed it as a stunt and declined to field candidates.
    — Steve Hendrix, Washington Post, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of corruption
Noun
  • That’s sacrilege on par with an Ohioan disowning football or a Texan recoiling at the smell of brisket, a Kentuckian thumbing his nose at college basketball.
    — Sean Keeler, Denver Post, 2 July 2026
  • Sure, Texans are very hospitable, but playing anything other than country music over the speakers is normally considered sacrilege in that establishment.
    — Austin Perry OutKick, FOXNews.com, 19 June 2026
Definition of sacrilege

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Cite this Entry

“Defilement.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/defilement. Accessed 18 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on defilement

Nglish: Translation of defilement for Spanish Speakers

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