profane 1 of 2

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profane

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verb

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as in to misuse
to put to a bad or improper use profaned his considerable acting talents by appearing in some wretched movies

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of profane
Adjective
The sacred and the profane, religious devotion and sensuality, simmering passion shrouded in a veil of composure and silence —these dramatic contrasts have shaped their repertoire from the outset, nearly 40 years ago. Tiziana Cardini, Vogue, 27 Jan. 2025 Millions of fanboys went nuts over Reynolds’ outrageously profane Merc With a Mouth. Pamela McClintock, The Hollywood Reporter, 13 Dec. 2024
Verb
Her husband, the exuberant and often profane former Dodgers manager who won two World Series championships, died Jan. 7 at 93. Steve Marble, Los Angeles Times, 21 Sep. 2021 The narrative is that of a leader who has experienced vilification at the hands of enemies who are both secular (and thus profane) and intensely demonic. Federico Finchelstein, The New Republic, 3 Nov. 2020 See All Example Sentences for profane
Recent Examples of Synonyms for profane
Adjective
  • From there on out, the film takes a couple of major swings in the realm of its timeline — a strange temporal unfurling — as well as the seeming motives behind A.J. and Isaac’s arrival, and Camille’s readiness to host them alongside a friend who clearly needs some alone time.
    Siddhant Adlakha, Variety, 8 Mar. 2025
  • Scientists had long thought that deciphering those qualities — collectively known as prosody — happened in the superior temporal gyrus, an area of the brain associated with speech perception.
    Paul Smaglik, Discover Magazine, 3 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • According to the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), individuals may not block access to sidewalks or buildings, disrupt counterprotests, or engage in speech that is obscene, makes knowingly false statements of fact, or incites immediate violence or dangerous disturbances.
    Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 5 Mar. 2025
  • There is absolutely nothing in libraries across the state that is obscene.
    Laura Tillman, Hartford Courant, 27 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • It has been corrupted over time into something like a generalized celebration of Donald Trump, Joe Biden, and the other 43 highly varied men who preceded them in holding the nation’s highest office.
    The Editors, National Review, 17 Feb. 2025
  • If green ever corrupted itself with red, both would end up the same brown mud.
    Jackson Arn, The New Yorker, 10 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • Their litigations essentially mirrored the same set of issues: Whether the ACC misused media rights, the appropriate penalty or fee (or both) a school should face for exiting the ACC and compliance requirements for member schools.
    Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 4 Mar. 2025
  • Without human review, workers’ leave data could be misused, potentially influencing promotions, job security, or disciplinary actions.
    Christine Michel Carter, Forbes, 3 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • The hearing stemmed from a defense motion to suppress the investigative genetic genealogy evidence, as the defense argued the testing violated Kohberger’s constitutional rights and its results should be thrown out.
    Eric Levenson, CNN, 1 Mar. 2025
  • Revisiting cases against crypto firms — especially those which violated the SEC's rules but were not alleged to have defrauded investors — has been broadly anticipated.
    Hannah Lang, USA TODAY, 1 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • This expansion of cooperation in Israel’s energy security with Azerbaijan – a secular state with a Muslim Shi’a majority, builds on over thirty years of cordial relations and joint projects in defense, energy, culture, air transportation, and foreign policy.
    Wesley Alexander Hill, Forbes, 8 Mar. 2025
  • Social uprisings over the next centuries lost the religious character of the 1525 conflict and would climax in the decidedly secular French Revolution.
    Michael Bruening, The Conversation, 25 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • However, these arrangements were not mere shakedowns; they were anchored in strategic diplomacy and geopolitical calculus, rather than vulgar profiteering.
    Ross Rosenfeld, Newsweek, 26 Feb. 2025
  • Her Facebook and email had been flooded with vulgar, inflammatory responses.
    Alyssa Goldberg, USA TODAY, 24 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • The other reason is that our news ecosystem is rapidly degrading, particularly online.
    Jeffrey Blehar, National Review, 7 Mar. 2025
  • Globalstar, on the other hand, claims that opening up the 1.6GHz and 2.4GHz bands to other companies risks generating interference with its own satellite systems, potentially degrading the satellite connectivity for iPhones.
    Michael Kan, PCMAG, 7 Mar. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Profane.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/profane. Accessed 12 Mar. 2025.

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