defiling 1 of 2

adjective

as in pernicious

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defiling

2 of 2

verb

present participle of defile
1
as in polluting
to make unfit for use by the addition of something harmful or undesirable supplies of meat that had been defiled by maggots

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in violating
to treat (a sacred place or object) shamefully or with great disrespect art conservators were careful not to do anything that might defile the holy relic

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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 defiling
Verb
Jurors also convicted Bhatt, 39, of two other charges — concealing and defiling his wife’s body — bringing an end to a case that began with her sudden disappearance more than two years ago. — Alisha Ebrahimji, CNN Money, 10 Nov. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for defiling
  1. pernicious
  2. polluting
  3. violating
  4. cursed
  5. poisoning
  6. unwholesome
  7. corrupt
  8. debased
Adjective
  • Still, the most pernicious consequence of Beijing’s economic model is entrenched deflation.
    — Oliver Melton, Foreign Affairs, 5 Nov. 2026
  • Courtesy of WorldSkills Is one of the world’s most pernicious social stigmas finally lifting?
    — the Monitor's Editorial Board, Christian Science Monitor, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of pernicious
Verb
  • Leaders of some major polluting nations absent More than 70 world leaders and senior government officials are speaking at the summit.
    — Suzan Fraser, Los Angeles Times, 11 Nov. 2026
  • The new developments have been singled out for loud noise, polluting power generation, and for disturbing residential neighborhoods and natural landscapes.
    — Shannon Osaka, Washington Post, 6 Nov. 2026
Definition of polluting
Verb
  • The details of his parole in that case are not yet clear, but Garcia was out by April 2023, when he was charged with violating that parole.
    — Olivia Young, CBS News, 7 Nov. 2026
  • Barnes denied any cooperation violating state law and said ICE agents are legally allowed to be in public areas of the jails.
    — Mona Darwish, Oc Register, 6 Nov. 2026
Definition of violating
Adjective
  • Sort infernal correspondence, process occult specimens, and keep cursed machinery running as the workday gets stranger.
    — Jennifer Maas, Variety, 10 Nov. 2026
  • The cursed 13th season of RHONY led to a complete refresh, with the entire cast let go in favor of all-new Housewives.
    — Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 4 Nov. 2026
Definition of cursed
Verb
  • Her father, Steve Apa, told the New York Times that the cause was rhabdomyolysis, also known as rhabdo, a rare condition in which skeletal muscle breaks down and dies quickly, poisoning the body.
    — Jen Christensen, CNN Money, 4 Nov. 2026
  • Her father told The New York Times that she’d been stricken with rhabdomyolysis, a rare condition in which muscles can break down during exertion, poisoning the body.
    — Larry Neumeister, Chicago Tribune, 3 Nov. 2026
Definition of poisoning
Adjective
  • Their jail is strange and unwholesome.
    — Robert Rubsam, The Atlantic, 26 Mar. 2026
  • Grievous bodily harm, nonconsensual drugging, murder, yes…still, thank god there’s nothing unwholesome here, like say a man in a dress.
    — Dennis Harvey, Variety, 14 Mar. 2026
Definition of unwholesome
Adjective
  • Nora was impacted by a corrupt boss and his choice to cover up a crime, which simultaneously tanked her own career ambition.
    — Caitlin White, Variety, 10 Nov. 2026
  • The voters repudiated the president in every way, growing tired of his lies, corrupt administration, unqualified Cabinet members, tariffs, needless wars, ongoing inflation, and undignified and boorish behavior.
    — Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 6 Nov. 2026
Definition of corrupt
Adjective
  • The plates feature debased imprints of the same signature shapes, creating a dialogue with the glasses.
    — Sofia Celeste, Footwear News, 17 Sep. 2026
  • That wasn’t its only subject; comedy and power and misogyny and creativity and intergenerational conflict and work ethic and, especially in its last few seasons, the debased state of the entertainment industry were all richly explored through lines.
    — Judy Berman, Time, 8 July 2026
Definition of debased

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Cite this Entry

“Defiling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/defiling. Accessed 13 Nov. 2026.

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