desecrate

1 of 2

verb

des·​e·​crate ˈde-si-ˌkrāt How to pronounce desecrate (audio)
desecrated; desecrating
Synonyms of desecrate

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 How to pronounce desecrate (audio)

desecrater

2 of 2

noun

des·​e·​crat·​er
variants or desecrator
-ˌkrātə(r) How to pronounce desecrater (audio)
plural -s
: one that desecrates

Synonyms of desecrate

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Verb

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Examples of desecrate in a Sentence

Verb The vandals were accused of desecrating graves. vandals desecrated the cemetery last night by covering the tombstones with graffiti
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Verb
After desecrating the statue, the vandal returns the hammer to his pocket, scales the fence and flees into the night, the footage shows. — Colin Mixson, New York Daily News, 5 Aug. 2026 After desecrating a sacred hunting ground in their youth, four Blackfeet men are visited by dire consequences in adulthood. — Hannah Whitten, PEOPLE, 4 Aug. 2026 The measure adds new grounds to Argentina’s immigration law, allowing authorities to bar, deport and revoke visas of people found to have promoted hatred against Argentines in spoken or written statements or who have desecrated national symbols. — Isabel Debre, Los Angeles Times, 30 July 2026 The penalty is identical to that for desecrating the flag or other national emblem of a foreign state, which was already in place. — News Desk, Artforum, 17 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for desecrate

Word History

Etymology

Verb

de- + -secrate (as in consecrate)

First Known Use

Verb

1675, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of desecrate was in 1675

Rhymes for desecrate

See All Rhymes for desecrate

Browse Nearby Words

deseasonalize
desecrate
desecrater
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Desecrate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/desecrate. Accessed 12 Aug. 2026.

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Kids Definition

desecrate

verb
des·​e·​crate ˈdes-i-ˌkrāt How to pronounce desecrate (audio)
desecrated; desecrating
: to treat a sacred place or sacred object shamefully or with great disrespect
desecrater noun
or desecrator
-ˌkrāt-ər How to pronounce desecrate (audio)
desecration
ˌdes-i-ˈkrā-shən
noun

More from Merriam-Webster on desecrate

Nglish: Translation of desecrate for Spanish Speakers

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