DESECRATE Synonyms: 54 Similar and Opposite Words

desecrate

verb

ˈde-si-ˌkrāt

Definition of desecrate

as in to violate

to treat (a sacred place or object) shamefully or with great disrespect vandals desecrated the cemetery last night by covering the tombstones with graffiti

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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 desecrate 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 There is simply no reason to desecrate a Miller Lite like this. — Amber Harding Outkick, FOXNews.com, 14 July 2026 His name no longer desecrates this sacred memorial, which belongs to the American people. — Anastasia Tsioulcas, NPR, 8 July 2026 One is about civic commonality, the other about authoritarian cynicism; one is about a city pulling together around a common pleasure, the other about desecrating the decorum of democracy. — Adam Gopnik, New Yorker, 21 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for desecrate

Recent Examples of Synonyms for desecrate

violate

Verb

In its March 9 lawsuit, Anthropic alleged the government violated its right to free speech under the First Amendment to the Constitution by retaliating against its views on AI safety.

— Reuters, NBC news, 28 Aug. 2026
The administration is appealing a June ruling by a lower court that the ban probably violated the troops’ constitutional rights and cannot be enforced against those currently serving while the litigation continues.

— Maureen Groppe, USA Today, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of violate

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descrying

desecrate

desecrated

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“Desecrate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/desecrate. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of desecrate

verb

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