desecrating 1 of 3

adjective

as in blasphemous

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desecrating

2 of 3

noun

as in desecration

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desecrating

3 of 3

verb

present participle of desecrate
as in violating
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

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 desecrating
Verb
The next day, February 9th, Nakira was charged with first-degree murder, endangering the welfare of a child, desecrating human remains, and tampering with physical evidence. — Anja Aronowsky Cronberg, New Yorker, 24 Oct. 2026 The judge is desecrating the memory of the Great Charlie Kirk, while taking forever to ask questions that people already know the answer to. — Adam Sabes , Michael Ruiz, FOXNews.com, 23 Oct. 2026 French’s post provoked social media responses calling for violence against Indians and desecrating Hindu temples. — Arun Brahmbhatt, The Conversation, 21 Oct. 2026 French's post led to a flurry of other posts on social media calling for violence against Indian communities, including desecrating Hindu temples and statues. — ABC News, 16 Oct. 2026 Without criminal consequences, operators who profit from desecrating the dead have nothing to fear. — Susana Mendoza, Chicago Tribune, 8 Sep. 2026 But as building efforts have ramped up, the administration has run into opposition from landowners, environmental groups, and Native American tribes who say construction is violating property rights and desecrating sacred Indigenous sites. — Mikella Schuettler, Los Angeles Times, 28 Aug. 2026 After desecrating the statue, the vandal returns the hammer to his pocket, scales the fence and flees into the night, the footage shows. — Colin Mixson, New York Daily News, 5 Aug. 2026 After desecrating a sacred hunting ground in their youth, four Blackfeet men are visited by dire consequences in adulthood. — Hannah Whitten, PEOPLE, 4 Aug. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for desecrating
  1. blasphemous
  2. desecration
  3. violating
  4. sacrilegious
  5. wrecking
  6. profane
  7. destruction
  8. irreverent
Adjective
  • The publication led to global outrage, with many Muslims finding the depictions highly offensive and blasphemous.
    — USA Today, USA Today, 15 Sep. 2026
  • The image of him, his attire a blasphemous betrayal of the wholesome fun a clown costume promises, and with vibrant, colorful balloons in his hand, lingers in our minds for a long time.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of blasphemous
Noun
  • That belief is not Christianity, but a desecration of that religious tradition as severe as taking a sword to desecrate an altar.
    — Seth Limmer, Chicago Tribune, 1 Nov. 2026
  • The ghoul had become an emblem of desecration, a predator violating the boundary between life and death, a corruptor of what was wholesome and decent.
    — Harmeet Kaur, CNN Money, 29 Oct. 2026
Definition of desecration
Verb
  • Charlotte’s water utility has fielded about 18 complaints a day of people violating mandatory water restrictions in place since mid-May, when the region was facing an extreme drought crisis.
    — Nick Sullivan, Charlotte Observer, 24 Oct. 2026
  • Just before kickoff, the Tide confirmed that Kirkpatrick was suspended for violating team rules.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 24 Oct. 2026
Definition of violating
Adjective
  • The tweak The Improper Pig made to a coveted Southern brunch dish might be considered sacrilegious in some kitchens, but the result is a delicious argument for bending tradition.
    — Evan Moore, Charlotte Observer, 22 Sep. 2026
  • As sacrilegious as this might sound to devout Bears fans, Johnson was equipped inside Halas Hall this offseason with Green Bay Packers highlights as a teach tape.
    — Dan Wiederer, New York Times, 9 Sep. 2026
Definition of sacrilegious
Noun
  • At least, there was a lot less wrecking.
    — Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 13 Feb. 2026
  • The Ravens haven’t really had that game-wrecking pass rusher since Terrell Suggs was in his prime.
    — The Athletic NFL Staff, New York Times, 9 Jan. 2026
Definition of wrecking
Adjective
  • Seaver acknowledged being overly crude and profane in his messages to Nozell.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 14 Oct. 2026
  • People who post puerile, profane or belittling comments are protesters on a virtual street.
    — Chris Roemer, Baltimore Sun, 1 Oct. 2026
Definition of profane
Noun
  • Analysts have been questioning when and if high energy prices will ultimately drive demand destruction, easing pressures on constrained refineries, as the premium for refined products over crude remains at decade-highs.
    — Jenni Reid, CNBC, 30 Oct. 2026
  • Lakshmana decides to interrupt the meeting, accepting his own destruction rather than endangering Ayodhya and Rama’s household.
    — Tamanna Nangia, Encyclopedia Britannica, 30 Oct. 2026
Definition of destruction
Adjective
  • The host was once positioned as an irreverent comedian whose political satire was guided by his no-BS take on Capitol Hill and American culture.
    — Lorraine Ali, Los Angeles Times, 28 Oct. 2026
  • Above Average is billed as an irreverent look at celebrity culture, corporate power and society’s obsession with being exceptional.
    — Stewart Clarke, Deadline, 27 Oct. 2026
Definition of irreverent

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Cite this Entry

“Desecrating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/desecrating. Accessed 6 Nov. 2026.

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