desecrate

[des-i-kreyt]

verb (used with object)

desecrated, desecrating 

1. to divest of sacred or hallowed character or office.

2. to divert from a sacred to a profane use or purpose.

3. to treat with sacrilege; profane.

   Synonyms: outrage, pollute, dishonor, violate, defile

desecrate

/ ˈdɛsɪˌkreɪt /

verb

1. to violate or outrage the sacred character of (an object or place) by destructive, blasphemous, or sacrilegious action

2. to remove the consecration from (a person, object, building, etc); deconsecrate

Other Word Forms

• desecrater noun
• desecrator noun
• desecration noun
• undesecrated adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of desecrate¹

First recorded in 1665–75; de- + -secrate, modeled on consecrate

Word History and Origins

Origin of desecrate¹

C17: from _de- + _consecrate

Example Sentences

A family of a murdered man who were only given a small amount of his remains to bury are calling for desecrating a body to become its own crime.

From BBC

Offenders could face up to three months in prison and a £1,000 fine for desecrating the monument to Britain's wartime leader.

From BBC

Tension was brewing between us, but I was terrified to address it and desecrate our sacred platonic bond as roommates.

From Los Angeles Times

"After the killing, you desecrated your husband's corpse. I do not know why you killed him."

From BBC

A hospitalman at the former Naval Hospital in Chelsea, Mass., was charged with, among other things, desecrating the flag by blowing his nose on one.

From Salon

Related Words

• defile 
• dishonor 
• pervert 
• pillage 
• profane 
• ravage