SACRED Synonyms: 118 Similar and Opposite Words

sacred

adjective

ˈsā-krəd

Definition of sacred

as in holy

not to be violated, criticized, or tampered with the sacred trust that exists between elected officials and the electorate

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in divine

of, relating to, or being God a sacred name that must not be uttered in vain

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as in religious

of, relating to, or used in the practice or worship services of a religion a sacred chalice

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as in venerated

set apart or worthy of veneration by association with God the sacred bones of a saint

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as in venerable

deserving honor and respect especially by reason of age the alumni procession at graduation is one of the college's most sacred traditions, dating back over a hundred years

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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 sacred While Western climbers regard Everest as a peak to be conquered, Tenzing reveres it as a sacred mother goddess. — Diana Lodderhose, Deadline, 25 Aug. 2026 Part of the healing was contained in the sacred fire area, circled by cedar boughs, and open to the east. — Gregory Harutunian, Chicago Tribune, 25 Aug. 2026 Guns became sacred, and violence was increasingly justified, if not sanctified. — Literary Hub, 25 Aug. 2026 Those born during the year of the monkey can place a flag or paper decorated with the monkey symbol on or around a sacred structure inside the temple hall. — Brooke Schedneck, The Conversation, 24 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for sacred

Recent Examples of Synonyms for sacred

Adjective

The first few generations of holy men who led Idaho’s congregations died, and no one took their place.

— Audrey Dutton, ProPublica, 25 Aug. 2026
And make this little holy moment for yourself, this little spiritual realization of a kind of balance or play in your physical environment and that will heal you.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of holy

Adjective

Some scholars suggest that the gods’ multiple heads and arms signify the dynamic nature of divine action.

— Charles Preston, Encyclopedia Britannica, 28 Aug. 2026
Historians say the horns may have been blown to scare evil spirits, to proclaim victories, or as a way to encourage divine mercy.

— Lois K. Solomon, Sun Sentinel, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of divine

Adjective

Most are men between the ages of 18 and 49, without a college degree, earning less than $50,000 a year, less religious than average, and likely to also drink alcohol.

— Dario Sabaghi, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2026
Deepak and Madhu Ahuja, Plano, Texas, business owners who have been married for 34 years, were in the area for a religious journey to Mount Kailash, a sacred site for both Hindus and Buddhists.

— Freddie Clayton, NBC news, 29 Aug. 2026

Definition of religious

Adjective

The site remains a venerated Buddhist shrine used for local worship.

— Jack Tydeman, Travel + Leisure, 26 July 2026
On the night of June 15, a Russian drone directly hit the most venerated site for Ukraine’s majority Orthodox Christians, and indeed for much of Eastern Christendom.

— The Christian Science Monitor, Christian Science Monitor, 26 June 2026

Definition of venerated

Adjective

Busy schedules at venues of every size, particularly the venerable clubs and halls that help give Chicago its local flavor.

— Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 31 Aug. 2026
The husband-wife duo and their restaurant group that includes the likes of downtown Orlando’s Reyes Mezcaleria and Seito Sushi in Baldwin Park have been twice honored by the venerable James Beard Foundation.

— Scott Maxwell, The Orlando Sentinel, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of venerable

Adjective

This unfettered access — which can be challenging to find among human gurus — is what’s drawing more people to AI for spiritual guidance.

— ABC News, ABC News, 28 Aug. 2026
The now-familiar blend of folk, soul, and psychedelia dominates the album aesthetically, though James took spiritual cues from recordings of meditative organ performances by Alice Coltrane.

— Ryan Leas, Pitchfork, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of spiritual

Adjective

Paintings, liturgical objects and the clothes of a notable 18th century Spanish count were among the other items removed from the monastery.

— Angela Charlton, Los Angeles Times, 14 Aug. 2026
The Cupichs attended a parish where mass was celebrated in Latin (the liturgical changes of the Second Vatican Council were yet to come) but the sermons were spoken in Croatian.

— René Ostberg, Encyclopedia Britannica, 2 July 2026