as in to violate
to treat (a sacred place or object) shamefully or with great disrespect
vandals desecrated the cemetery last night by covering the tombstones with graffiti
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Recent Examples of desecrate
The case intensifies international scrutiny of Israel’s treatment of religious minorities, following recent incidents of soldiers desecrating Christian religious symbols in Lebanon.
—
Melanie Lidman, Los Angeles Times, 7 May 2026
This week’s discovery of the antisemitic graffiti follows the arrest of two teenage vandals for desecrating a Brooklyn playground in a Jewish neighborhood with more than 50 swastikas in January.
—Thomas Tracy, New York Daily News, 6 May 2026
The Israeli military is investigating after a photo circulating on social media shows a soldier appearing to desecrate a statue of the Virgin Mary in Debel, Lebanon – the same town where Israeli soldiers were photographed destroying a crucifix last month.
—Alejandra Jaramillo, CNN Money, 6 May 2026
Through gleeful anarchy, a variety of filters, and a kinetic score, the two Maries spoil themselves with sweets, outwit suitors, and desecrate the rituals of fine dining in a glorious climax of rebellion.
—Jennifer Noyes, Air Mail, 25 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for desecrate
Melanie Lidman, Los Angeles Times, 7 May 2026
This week’s discovery of the antisemitic graffiti follows the arrest of two teenage vandals for desecrating a Brooklyn playground in a Jewish neighborhood with more than 50 swastikas in January.
—Thomas Tracy, New York Daily News, 6 May 2026
The Israeli military is investigating after a photo circulating on social media shows a soldier appearing to desecrate a statue of the Virgin Mary in Debel, Lebanon – the same town where Israeli soldiers were photographed destroying a crucifix last month.
—Alejandra Jaramillo, CNN Money, 6 May 2026
Through gleeful anarchy, a variety of filters, and a kinetic score, the two Maries spoil themselves with sweets, outwit suitors, and desecrate the rituals of fine dining in a glorious climax of rebellion.
—Jennifer Noyes, Air Mail, 25 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for desecrate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for desecrate
violate
Verb
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So Daniel’s book violated those rules, and Louis’ actions within the book did, too.—
Ben Travers,
IndieWire,
7 June 2026
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The lawsuit says such approval violated National Park Service regulations prohibiting sporting events on federal parklands, Congress did not consent to the towering arch overlooking the event space and no environmental review was conducted before the construction.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
7 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Desecrate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/desecrate. Accessed 13 Jun. 2026.
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