Synonyms of desecrate

desecrate

verb

ˈde-si-ˌkrāt 

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

• violate
• destroy
• defile
• ravage
• demolish
• profane
• ruin
• raid
• insult
• blaspheme
• rob
• contaminate
• pollute
• soil
• taint
• swear
• defame
• offend
• despoil
• affront
• decimate
• plunder
• devastate
• wreck
• curse
• sully
• raze
• desacralize
• annihilate
• poison
• deconsecrate
• desanctify
• sack
• pillage
• befoul
• desolate
• loot
• outrage
• foul
• spoil
• waste
• strip
• ransack
• crush

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• bless
• dedicate
• honor
• consecrate
• sanctify
• respect
• hallow
• purify
• cleanse
• purge

Examples of desecrate in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

And on that day, the president of the United States incited a violent mob to attack our nation's Capitol, to desecrate our nation's Capitol. —Maya Marchel Hoff, USA TODAY, 11 Sep. 2024

The operation of the site also threatens sacred Hawaiian shrines and altars and desecrates ancient Hawaiian burial sites, according to a lawsuit filed by two people who don’t want the debris in Olowalu. —Claire Rush and Jennifer Sinco Kelleher, Los Angeles Times, 8 Sep. 2024

This week, Maduro desecrated that people’s lore like a dog hiking his hind leg over a Caracas fire hydrant. —Tim Padgett, Orlando Sentinel, 9 Aug. 2024

But when Vittoria is found dead and desecrated, Emilia’s need for answers and vengeance eclipses all else. —Alyssa Davis, Vulture, 29 Mar. 2024