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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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 According to Jewish tradition, worn out sacred texts can’t be casually discarded; instead, they are stored in a geniza, a repository usually located within a synagogue or buried at a Jewish cemetery. — Angie Leventis Lourgos, Chicago Tribune, 1 Nov. 2026 This act was done in fulfillment of a sacred promise made by her parents, Saints Anne and Joachim, during their long struggle with childlessness, and signifies Mary’s lifelong devotion to God and her role in the Incarnation. — Encyclopedia Britannica, 30 Oct. 2026 Skeletons have long served as sacred ornamentation across cultures, representing the transience of life. — Livia Caligor, Architectural Digest, 30 Oct. 2026 This is in contrast to myths, for example, which are sacred creation or explanatory stories set before or outside of normal time. — Jeffrey Tolbert, The Conversation, 28 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for sacred

Recent Examples of Synonyms for sacred

Adjective

If only Bob the Minion were there to complete the holy trifecta.

— Devon Ivie, Vulture, 4 Nov. 2026
It was forbidden territory because the idea was that – unlike most of the other executive agencies – the DOJ had a kind of holy, nonpolitical status?

— John E. Jones III, The Conversation, 4 Nov. 2026

Definition of holy

Adjective

The season would start with Navratri, a nine-night Hindu festival celebrating the divine feminine, Shakti, through the worship of Goddess Durga.

— Rachel Gurjar, Bon Appetit Magazine, 1 Nov. 2026
Think medieval meets modern--less clunky Louis XVIth and more comfy armchair, with Kingsdown mattresses that are simply divine.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 31 Oct. 2026

Definition of divine

Adjective

Three factions -- all aligned with Netanyahu's religious-nationalist base -- recommended Netanyahu be given a chance to form a coalition government, while a fourth -- led by a former Netanyahu ally turned rival -- recommended Eisenkot.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 5 Nov. 2026
She was drawn to the historical associations of religious persecution.

— Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 5 Nov. 2026

Definition of religious

Adjective

The venerated athlete returned to the sport after a nearly four-year hiatus.

— Julia Teti, Footwear News, 29 Oct. 2026
Word of her ouster leaked before the executive had the chance to address most of her internal teams — an announcement dovetailed with news of her incoming replacement, the venerated film and TV executive Peter Rice.

— Matt Donnelly, Variety, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of venerated

Adjective

Executive produced by Flanagan and King, Carrie is the second Prime Video series based on MGM/UA IP to launch after Amazon MGM Studios had made exploiting the venerable studio’s library a priority following the 2022 acquisition.

— Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 22 Oct. 2026
There’s Haroon Mirza’s Stone Circle, commissioned by Ballroom Marfa, another venerable local institution.

— Nate Freeman, Vanity Fair, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of venerable

Adjective

Jesus had just been teaching his followers to love even their enemies, pointing toward the impartial love of our heavenly Father.

— The Christian Science Monitor, Christian Science Monitor, 2 Nov. 2026
Codex Gigas, medieval illuminated manuscript known for its full-page illustration of the Devil opposite a full-page illustration of heavenly Jerusalem.

— Laura Payne, Encyclopedia Britannica, 30 Oct. 2026

Definition of heavenly

Adjective

At the heart of this approach is the belief that each child has a right to holistic, empathetic care during illness and throughout end of their life that considers their unique social, cultural, physical and spiritual needs.

— Emilee Flynn, The Conversation, 3 Nov. 2026
As Lefens mixes spiritual elements with the quotidian, the novel examines the paradoxes of safety, responsibility, and trust.

— The New Yorker, New Yorker, 2 Nov. 2026

Definition of spiritual

Adjective

Depending on your tolerance for grand aims and liturgical self-seriousness, her latest album may strike you as extraordinary or unbearable.

— Emma Madden, Pitchfork, 28 Oct. 2026
Along with the album, U2 released two surprise EPs this year, Days of Ash and Easter Lily, that turn out to be conceptually linked to the new album via the liturgical calendar, with carnival preceding Lent and Easter.

— Brian Hiatt, Rolling Stone, 24 Sep. 2026