sacrosanct

adjective

sac·​ro·​sanct ˈsa-krō-ˌsaŋ(k)t 

1

: most sacred or holy : inviolable

2

: treated as if holy : immune from criticism or violation

politically sacrosanct programs

sacrosanctity

ˌsa-krō-ˈsaŋ(k)-tə-tē 

noun

Did you know?

Contrary to the beliefs of some, language is not sacrosanct; rather, it is subject to constant modification based on the needs, experiences, and even whims of those who use it. Take the word sacrosanct itself, which likely comes from the Latin phrase sacro sanctus meaning “made holy by a sacred rite.” There’s a definite semantic softening from that to the “too important and respected to be changed or criticized” meaning of sacrosanct. But holy moly, has sanctus led to a whole bunch of other English words with truly pious flavor, from saint and sanctimony to sanctify and sanctuary. Sacrum (“a sacred rite”), whence came the sacro in sacro sanctus, is no slouch either, living on in English anatomy as the name for our pelvic vertebrae—a shortening of os sacrum, which literally means “holy bone.”

Synonyms

• hallowed
• holy
• inviolable
• sacred
• unassailable
• untouchable

Examples of sacrosanct in a Sentence

the government's most sacrosanct institutions

The tradition is regarded as sacrosanct.

Recent Examples on the Web

The relationship between a tailor and his client is practically sacrosanct, requires an immense amount of trust, and, as evidenced by Paolo and George’s dynamic, a dose of good humor. —Caroline Reilly, Robb Report, 18 Oct. 2024

Best practices in a healthcare context, where the confidentiality of the doctor-patient bond is sacrosanct, are centered around safeguarding patient data. —Par Chadha, Forbes, 7 Oct. 2024

Yet vouchers are unpopular in rural districts across Texas, where Friday night football games are sacrosanct and private schools are scarce. —Ava Kofman, ProPublica, 2 Oct. 2024

Strict walls separating monetary and fiscal policy Central bank independence is considered sacrosanct for modern industrial economies—as important a check and balance when running the economy as the separation of powers between the three branches of the U.S. government. —Christiaan Hetzner, Fortune, 9 Aug. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Latin sacrosanctus, probably from sacro sanctus hallowed by a sacred rite

First Known Use

1601, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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Kids Definition

sacrosanct

adjective

sac·​ro·​sanct ˈsak-rō-ˌsaŋ(k)t 

: most sacred, holy, or respected : inviolable

sacrosanctity

ˌsak-rō-ˈsaŋ(k)-tət-ē 

noun