as in sacrilege
an act of great disrespect shown to God or to sacred ideas, people, or things
the First Book of the Maccabees tells of the profanation of the temple of Jerusalem by Antiochus IV Epiphanes in 167 b.c.
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Recent Examples of profanation
Scottish hen parties were deemed to contain ritualistic profanation.
—
Victor J. Blue,
Harpers Magazine,
23 Nov. 2025
No tear-floods, nor sigh-tempests move; ’Twere profanation of our joys To tell the laity our love.
—
John Edgar Wideman,
The New Yorker,
8 July 2021
The first assault is on the Nile itself, which is turned to blood, thereby ruining both agriculture and aquaculture in one swoop, a profanation with religious consequences.
—
Kevin D. Williamson,
National Review,
28 Nov. 2019
His family has argued that the exhumation would amount to profanation of a burial site, and said the only alternative resting place for Franco should be inside the crypt of the Madrid cathedral, a suggestion that the government found unacceptable.
—
Raphael Minder,
New York Times,
4 June 2019
Victor J. Blue,
Harpers Magazine,
23 Nov. 2025
No tear-floods, nor sigh-tempests move; ’Twere profanation of our joys To tell the laity our love.
—
John Edgar Wideman,
The New Yorker,
8 July 2021
The first assault is on the Nile itself, which is turned to blood, thereby ruining both agriculture and aquaculture in one swoop, a profanation with religious consequences.
—
Kevin D. Williamson,
National Review,
28 Nov. 2019
His family has argued that the exhumation would amount to profanation of a burial site, and said the only alternative resting place for Franco should be inside the crypt of the Madrid cathedral, a suggestion that the government found unacceptable.
—
Raphael Minder,
New York Times,
4 June 2019
Recent Examples of Synonyms for profanation
Noun
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But by then, religious and political leaders from around the world condemned the image, some calling it a sacrilege.
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That might sound like sacrilege, because the NFL is beyond criticism for many sports fans, but the draft is the ideal example of what the league has become and the importance of gambling to modern audiences.
Noun
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However, the Supreme Court in several cases has struck down any improper use or desecration of the flag on the grounds of free speech, according to the Library of Congress’ most frequently asked questions about flag law.
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He was charged in Linn County, Kansas with interference with law enforcement, criminal desecration and having a vicious dog at large.
Noun
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This was a weak case for blasphemy.
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The president later removed the post in the face of outrage and accusations of blasphemy.
Noun
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The California Fair Political Practices Commission said 34 of the violations were for failing to report on time that Newsom and his staff directed outreach from companies and foundations that wanted to help after the Los Angeles wildfires to the California Fire Foundation.
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Stanley’s statement came amidst a major lawsuit by the NAACP against Grok’s parent company, xAI, for alleged violations of the Clean Air Act.
Noun
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Even aside from Trump’s own enthusiastic personal immorality and impiety, his political style — the pugnacious smear artist and demagogic braggart — was the antithesis of what evangelicals had sought before.
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By one hand, he is bound to himself, to his impiety, his recklessness, his envy and pride, his guilt and spite.
Noun
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The council made similar appointments when Patrick Cannon stepped down in 2014 after he was indicted on public corruption charges and in 2013 when Anthony Foxx left the city to become the federal secretary of transportation.
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When self-interest matures into corruption, the machine begins to strain.
Noun
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In about seven minutes, with pushing, shoving, and cursing, the agents cleared a path for the van.
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People would literally be in the drive-thru cursing at me.
Noun
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The museum touts its irreverence, for example placing a portrait of George Washington by untrained artist Howard Finster with one by Gilbert Stuart.
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Pratt’s main character energy proved attractive to (primarily out-of-state) donors as well as meme makers, who gravitated to his blend of righteousness and rage as well as irreverence.
Cite this Entry
“Profanation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/profanation. Accessed 25 Jun. 2026.
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