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.
—
Rafil Kroll-Zaidi, Harpers Magazine, 28 Mar. 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
Rafil Kroll-Zaidi, Harpers Magazine, 28 Mar. 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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And still, Wankdorf Stadium heaved with Portuguese song, as if any other noise outside of a goal celebration might border on sacrilege.—
Megan Feringa,
New York Times,
4 July 2025
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But replacing barley malt with rice still might strike some beer aficionados as sacrilege.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
2 July 2025
Noun
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Past cases involving flag burning Flag desecration and burning have long been a point of discussion among U.S. lawmakers.—
Saleen Martin,
USA Today,
21 June 2025
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Encampments, flag desecration, face coverings, and masks intended to conceal identity are prohibited.—
Tiffani Jackson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
24 July 2025
Noun
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In 2011, as governor of Punjab, Pakistan’s largest province, he was assassinated by his own bodyguard for defending a Christian woman accused of blasphemy.—
Aatish Taseer,
Time,
15 July 2025
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Earlier, during his days with Monty Python, Gilliam co-wrote biblical black comedy The Life of Brian, whose themes of religious satire drew accusations of blasphemy and protests.—
Nancy Tartaglione,
Deadline,
7 July 2025
Noun
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But the chase is likely a violation of OPD’s policy on pursuits, which seeks to limit police chases to avoid danger to the public.—
Cristóbal Reyes,
The Orlando Sentinel,
5 Aug. 2025
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The American Medical Association considers direct medical participation in executions a violation of health care ethics, further complicating procedures involving inmates with complex health considerations like Black.—
Tobias Meyjes,
MSNBC Newsweek,
5 Aug. 2025
Noun
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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.—
Merve Emre,
The New Yorker,
16 Dec. 2024
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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.—
Merve Emre,
The New Yorker,
16 Dec. 2024
Noun
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In 1870, lawyers founded the City Bar to confront corruption in the courts under Tammany Hall.—
Muhammad U. Faridi,
New York Daily News,
17 Aug. 2025
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Adams had been facing federal corruption charges but these were dropped by the Trump administration.—
James Bickerton,
MSNBC Newsweek,
15 Aug. 2025
Noun
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As an undergraduate in the 1960s, I was drawn to the experimental irreverence of writers of the Beat generation.—
Literary Hub
July 28,
Literary Hub,
28 July 2025
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Referencing the old prison doors which were covered with various scribblings, the luxurious modern bathroom is covered with a contemporary interpretation of handwriting to add a little irreverence.—
Rana Good,
Forbes.com,
25 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Profanation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/profanation. Accessed 20 Aug. 2025.
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