1
as in temporal
not involving religion or religious matters
it was hard to juggle the requirements of church and our more profane duties
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in secular
not showing proper reverence for the holy or sacred
offended by the profane language that her coworkers used so casually
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in obscene
depicting or referring to sexual matters in a way that is unacceptable in polite society
his idea of dinner table conversation is the telling of profane stories about his alleged sexual exploits
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in to corrupt
to lower in character, dignity, or quality
the once-lovely landscape had been profaned by ugly factories
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to misuse
to put to a bad or improper use
profaned his considerable acting talents by appearing in some wretched movies
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to violate
to treat (a sacred place or object) shamefully or with great disrespect
invading troops profaned the altar by playing poker on it
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of profane
Chicago Tribune, 22 Feb. 2026
Verbal jousting can become provocative in startling ways, even without being profane.
—Bart Jansen, USA Today, 22 Feb. 2026
Steve Marble, Los Angeles Times, 21 Sep. 2021
The narrative is that of a leader who has experienced vilification at the hands of enemies who are both secular (and thus profane) and intensely demonic.
—Federico Finchelstein, The New Republic, 3 Nov. 2020
See All Example Sentences for profane
Adjective
Leaders should serve as positive role models and not use profane language to demonize an opponent.
—Chicago Tribune, 22 Feb. 2026
Verbal jousting can become provocative in startling ways, even without being profane.
—Bart Jansen, USA Today, 22 Feb. 2026
Verb
Her husband, the exuberant and often profane former Dodgers manager who won two World Series championships, died Jan. 7 at 93.
—Steve Marble, Los Angeles Times, 21 Sep. 2021
The narrative is that of a leader who has experienced vilification at the hands of enemies who are both secular (and thus profane) and intensely demonic.
—Federico Finchelstein, The New Republic, 3 Nov. 2020
See All Example Sentences for profane
Recent Examples of Synonyms for profane
Adjective
-
Then there’s the sweetness underneath all the temporal shenanigans and graphically bloody shootouts.—
Angie Han,
HollywoodReporter,
15 Mar. 2026
-
The forty-three-year gap between provocation and retaliation is a void between cause and effect into which all temporal logic vanishes.—
Fintan O’Toole,
The New York Review of Books,
13 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Nearly half of 18-to-29-year-olds — raised by the most secular generation before them — have no religious affiliation at all — the highest share ever recorded for any generation.—
Ariel David,
Baltimore Sun,
16 Mar. 2026
-
The proposal called for a curriculum combining secular coursework with daily Jewish religious studies.—
Asaf Elia-Shalev,
Sun Sentinel,
16 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Using obscene or abusive language Any use of profanity, insults or abusive language is prohibited under the FDCPA.—
Angelica Leicht,
CBS News,
17 Mar. 2026
-
Pawula was investigated after Hastings lodged a complaint with state police, but charges of harassment through electronic communication and transmitting obscene messages were dropped.—
Olivia Stevens,
Chicago Tribune,
13 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
In his Phaedrus, Plato attacked reading as corrupting true philosophical dialectic.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
11 Mar. 2026
-
Yet, there’s a strong counter-argument that power doesn’t corrupt a person, but merely lays bare their ethics or lack thereof.—
Charles Lewis III,
Mercury News,
10 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The couple faced charges in an indictment from the federal government for allegedly misusing nearly $900,000 in COVID-19 pandemic relief funds.—
Jennifer McRae,
CBS News,
16 Mar. 2026
-
Our top Identity Theft Protection recommendation monitors credit activity, financial accounts and dark web marketplaces for signs your identity is being misused.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
16 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Airlines and their trade association argue that the Biden administration’s wheelchair regulations exceed the Department of Transportation’s statutory authority and violate the Administrative Procedure Act, claiming the requirements impose unreasonable burdens on air carriers.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
15 Mar. 2026
-
Eleven people, including several sitting members of Bridgeport city council and the former vice chair of the city’s Democratic Party, are facing hundreds of state criminal charges for violating Connecticut’s absentee ballot laws during back-to-back mayoral elections in 2019 and 2023.—
Andrew Brown,
Hartford Courant,
15 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Be physical, rebound and play competitive.—
Gary Bedore,
Kansas City Star,
14 Mar. 2026
-
When Grace first awakens on his ship, the film cuts hectically around, above, and below him, as if to approximate his mental and physical disorientation.—
Justin Chang,
New Yorker,
13 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Lewd and vulgar language is banned.—
Matt Schooley,
CBS News,
14 Mar. 2026
-
Bauder admonished the crowd several times for being too noisy, and police removed a protester who yelled vulgar comments.—
Heather Hollingsworth,
Los Angeles Times,
13 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Profane.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/profane. Accessed 21 Mar. 2026.
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