desecrate
/ˈdɛs.ɪ.kɹeɪ̯t/ verb, adjective
Forms desecrates desecrating desecrated
- verb (ambitransitive) To profane or violate the sacredness or sanctity of something.
- verb (transitive) To remove the consecration from someone or something; to deconsecrate.
- verb (transitive) To change in an inappropriate and destructive manner.
- adjective (rare) Desecrated.
Synonyms
defile deconsecrate desanctify unhallow corrupt profanate profane profanize pollute sully tarnish violate pervert outrage
Antonyms
Etymology
From de- + stem of consecrate.
Webster’s 1913
- verb To divest of a sacred character or office; to divert from a sacred purpose; to violate the sanctity of; to profane; to put to an unworthy use; --the opposite of consecrate.
Etymology [L. desecratus, p. p. of desecrare (also desacrare) to consecrate, dedicate; but taken in the sense if to divest of a sacred character; de- + sacrare to consecrate, fr. sacer sacred. See Sacred.]
Sources: Wiktionary · WordNet 3.0 · Webster’s 1913 — from the Wiktionary entry “desecrate”, CC BY-SA 4.0. Details