SACRED Synonyms: 118 Similar and Opposite Words

sacred

adjective

ˈsā-krəd

Definition of sacred

as in holy

not to be violated, criticized, or tampered with the sacred trust that exists between elected officials and the electorate

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in divine

of, relating to, or being God a sacred name that must not be uttered in vain

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as in religious

of, relating to, or used in the practice or worship services of a religion a sacred chalice

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as in venerated

set apart or worthy of veneration by association with God the sacred bones of a saint

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as in venerable

deserving honor and respect especially by reason of age the alumni procession at graduation is one of the college's most sacred traditions, dating back over a hundred years

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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 sacred That means kicking off with the sacred mountain where shamans perform mudang rituals, the spiritual tradition at the heart of the storyline, and then using that inspiration to step into the soundproof studio to put your vocal chops to the test. — Rachel Chang, Travel + Leisure, 6 Aug. 2026 The Australian Museum in Sydney has returned Ivi Tupuna, or ancestral remains, to the people of Rapa Nui (also known as Easter Island) 144 years after they were first stolen from the island’s sacred burial sites. — News Desk, Artforum, 6 Aug. 2026 But many Native Hawaiian cultural groups oppose this decision, viewing the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands as sacred. — Brittney Melton, NPR, 4 Aug. 2026 Tribes are fighting back mine by mine, citing everything from threats to sacred land to water contamination. — Justin Worland, Time, 4 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for sacred

Recent Examples of Synonyms for sacred

Adjective

But Schleien considers official pietism—the theocratic strictures, the holy geographies, and Iron Age notions of vengeance—a threat in its own right, and one that exacerbates various security crises.

— Bernard Avishai, New Yorker, 11 Aug. 2026
As well as being home to Islam’s holiest sites, Saudi Arabia is one of the world’s top oil exporters.

— Sophia Saifi, CNN Money, 7 Aug. 2026

Definition of holy

Adjective

However, the notion of the emperor’s divine origins strengthened during the Meiji era, when the concept of State Shinto arose.

— ABC News, ABC News, 14 Aug. 2026
Yet, what fascinates is that Aristotle’s God isn’t a typical divine being who summons and shepherds.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 14 Aug. 2026

Definition of divine

Adjective

There is also persistent friction between Arab and Kurdish communities in the northeast of the country, and the government has had to respond to pockets of violence against the religious Alawite minority along Syria’s coast.

— Paula Hancocks, CNN Money, 16 Aug. 2026
Luk grew up without religion, but many childhood friends were religious and invited her to churches and youth groups.

— Callum McLennan, Variety, 15 Aug. 2026

Definition of religious

Adjective

On the night of June 15, a Russian drone directly hit the most venerated site for Ukraine’s majority Orthodox Christians, and indeed for much of Eastern Christendom.

— The Christian Science Monitor, Christian Science Monitor, 26 June 2026
To celebrate the 50th anniversary of the landmark live release, Frampton recounts his history in bands The Herd and Humble Pie before striking stadium-sellout gold as a solo star with venerated guitar chops and an inventive talk box.

— Melissa Ruggieri, USA Today, 3 June 2026

Definition of venerated

Adjective

With sawdust on the asphalt and splintered wood on the hillside, one of the city’s most venerable trees was torn apart on Monday.

— Thomas Lake, AJC.com, 4 Aug. 2026
There's no shortage of high-end vehicles to drive these days and venerable automakers are competing to produce the greatest, most luxurious and flashiest status symbols.

— Morgan Korn, ABC News, 25 July 2026

Definition of venerable

Adjective

Hathaway topped off her heavenly look with an effortlessly wavy up-do and an ethereal blush-nude makeup look.

— Morgan Evans, USA Today, 10 Aug. 2026
To map out these heavenly realms takes a certain amount of ego and pollyannaism otherwise absent from Reilly’s worldview.

— Jazz Monroe, Pitchfork, 30 July 2026

Definition of heavenly

Adjective

The shrine provides spiritual comfort for some who mourn relatives and others who visit to express gratitude.

— ABC News, ABC News, 14 Aug. 2026
Not long afterward, witnesses heard groans and heavy breathing as the spiritual adviser put her hands on his shoulders and prayed over him.

— CBS News, CBS News, 14 Aug. 2026

Definition of spiritual

Adjective

The Cupichs attended a parish where mass was celebrated in Latin (the liturgical changes of the Second Vatican Council were yet to come) but the sermons were spoken in Croatian.

— René Ostberg, Encyclopedia Britannica, 2 July 2026
Alongside official ceremonies and liturgical events, Leo is expected to emphasize his concern for marginalized communities.

— Tiago Ventura, Time, 6 June 2026