Desecrate
To treat something sacred with disrespect; to profane or violate its sacred character.
verbDesecrate
To treat something sacred with disrespect; to profane or violate its sacred character.
verbImagine This
A father sees his naughty boy fooling around with a religious artifact, 'Don't treat that with disrespect!' The boy replies, 'But that's only a crate!'
Sounds Like
That's a crate
Looks Like
de-sacr-ate (visual hint: de- + sacred)
Remember This
Crate: a large wooden shipping case.
Other Forms
Connect With
profane, defile, dishonor; antonyms: consecrate, sanctify
Note
Deselect confusion with similar-sounding words. Use desecrate for acts that violate sacred things; use 'consecrate' or 'bless' for making something sacred. Common collocations include the desecration of churches, graves, relics.
Study Deeper
- Vandals desecrated the temple by spray-painting sacred symbols.
- The desecration of graves is a serious offense and widely condemned.
From Latin desecrare, de- (removal or negation) + sacer (sacred); via Old French or directly into English, meaning to deprive of sacred character.
De-SACRED-ATE: remember that to desecrate is to take away the sacredness of something.
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verbTo give up completely, to desert or leave behind, or to relinquish a claim, plan, or responsibility.
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