desecrate

verb

des·​e·​crate ˈde-si-ˌkrāt 

desecrated; desecrating

transitive verb

1

: to violate the sanctity of : profane

desecrate a shrine

a cemetery desecrated by vandals

2

: to treat disrespectfully, irreverently, or outrageously

… the kind of shore development … that has desecrated so many waterfronts …

—John Fischer

desecrater noun

or desecrator

ˈde-si-ˌkrā-tər 

Synonyms

• defile
• profane
• violate

Examples of desecrate in a Sentence

The vandals were accused of desecrating graves.

vandals desecrated the cemetery last night by covering the tombstones with graffiti

Recent Examples on the Web

One night, multiple graves, including that of Karsh’s wife, are desecrated. —Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 31 Jan. 2025

In addition to raping and murdering his victims, Bundy admitted in his final confessions before his death to desecrating his victims' corpses. —Jessica Sager, People.com, 24 Jan. 2025

The hallways of the seat of government would not have trashed and desecrated with human waste. —New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 22 Jan. 2025

However, the small army found their Temple desecrated. —Josh Hammer, Newsweek, 23 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

de- + -secrate (as in consecrate)

First Known Use

1675, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

desecrate

verb

des·​e·​crate ˈdes-i-ˌkrāt 

desecrated; desecrating

: to treat a sacred place or sacred object shamefully or with great disrespect

desecrater noun

or desecrator

-ˌkrāt-ər 

desecration

ˌdes-i-ˈkrā-shən

noun