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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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 desecrate
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
Javien Wright, the man whose grave was desecrated, was, with a gun by his side, shot to death outside a house in the 1500 block of East Mulkey Street in February 2020.
—Emerson Clarridge, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 20 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for desecrate
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
Javien Wright, the man whose grave was desecrated, was, with a gun by his side, shot to death outside a house in the 1500 block of East Mulkey Street in February 2020.
—Emerson Clarridge, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 20 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for desecrate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for desecrate
violate
Verb
-
The complaint alleges the defendants failed to manufacture, supply and serve food safe for human consumption and violated federal food safety laws and USDA performance standards governing ground beef.—
Andrea Flores,
Los Angeles Times,
31 May 2026
-
Several speakers challenged Polis' argument that the bill could violate free speech protections.—
Jamie Leary,
CBS News,
31 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Desecrate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/desecrate. Accessed 5 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
