Desecrate (Verb)
Meaning 1
Remove the consecration from a person or an object.
Classification
Verbs of telling, asking, ordering, singing.
Examples
- The soldiers were accused of trying to desecrate the sacred temple by vandalizing its walls and stealing priceless artifacts.
- The cult's dark rituals aimed to desecrate their victims' souls, stripping them of their faith and humanity.
- Some critics argued that the new construction project would desecrate the historical significance of the site.
- In many cultures, it's considered a grave offense to desecrate a monarch's image or symbol, as it's seen as a challenge to their divine authority.
- By burning the sacred texts, the radicals sought to desecrate the spiritual leaders, invalidating their hold on the community.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Hypernyms
Meaning 2
Violate the sacred character of a place or language; "desecrate a cemetery"; "violate the sanctity of the church"; "profane the name of God".
Classification
Verbs of political and social activities and events.
Examples
- Vandals were accused of trying to desecrate a local war memorial by spray painting graffiti over the names of fallen soldiers.
- A group of teenagers were found guilty of intentionally attempting to desecrate a historic cemetery by knocking over headstones and destroying grave markers.
- Someone was seen attempting to desecrate the church grounds by littering and causing a disturbance during a funeral procession.
- Anti-war activists were criticized for their decision to desecrate the national anthem by altering its lyrics to include anti-government messages.
- A prominent public figure was widely condemned for his attempt to desecrate a sacred Native American site by holding a loud party there.