Defiler: meaning, definitions and examples

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defiler

[dɪˈfaɪlər ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Noun}

person

A person who defiles or corrupts something, especially a person who desecrates a sacred place or object.

Synonyms

desecrator, destroyer, vandal.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
defiler	Used to describe someone who corrupts or ruins something sacred or cherished, implying a great degree of moral or ethical violation. The defiler of the ancient temple left no stone unturned in his quest for treasures. She felt like a defiler of nature when she accidentally trampled the rare flowers.
desecrator	Used when someone is showing disrespect to something sacred or holy, often associated with religious or revered sites. The desecrator's graffiti on the church walls shocked the entire community. He was labeled a desecrator after he was caught defacing the war memorial.
vandal	Refers to someone who deliberately damages or destroys public or private property, often for the sake of mischief. It usually indicates less moral weight than 'defiler' or 'desecrator'. The vandals spray-painted the walls of the school during the night. Security cameras captured the vandal breaking car windows in the parking lot.
destroyer	A general term for someone or something that causes complete ruin or elimination of something. It does not necessarily imply a sacred context. The hurricane acted as a destroyer of homes along the coast. He became a destroyer of dreams by constantly criticizing and belittling others.

Examples of usage

He was seen as a defiler of the natural environment.
The defiler was arrested for vandalizing the historic church.

^{Context #2 | Noun}

fantasy

In fantasy fiction, a defiler is a spellcaster who draws magical energy from the environment, causing it to wither and die.

Synonyms

dark mage, necromancer, sorcerer.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
defiler	Used to describe someone who pollutes or spoils something sacred or respected. It has a strong negative connotation. The ancient temple was destroyed by a defiler who cared nothing for its history or sanctity
dark mage	Refers to a magician who practices dark or forbidden magic. Often used in fantasy settings. In the midst of battle, the dark mage conjured a spell that blackened the sky and struck fear into the hearts of all who saw it
necromancer	Specifically refers to someone who practices necromancy, the magic of raising the dead and communicating with spirits. Also has a strong negative connotation. The necromancer summoned an army of undead to do his bidding, striking terror into the villagers
sorcerer	A general term for someone who uses magic, often with wisdom and power. Can have either positive or negative connotations, depending on the context. The sorcerer cast a protection spell over the kingdom, ensuring the safety of its inhabitants for years to come

Examples of usage

The defiler drained the life force from the forest to fuel his dark magic.
She played the role of a defiler in the Dungeons & Dragons campaign.

^{Context #3 | Verb}

action

To defile means to spoil or ruin something, especially something sacred or pure.

Synonyms

contaminate, desecrate, violate.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
defiler	Used in a context where someone or something is causing great harm or disrespect to the purity or holiness of a place, object, or person. It often carries a strong negative connotation. The ancient temple was defiled by the invaders. He felt like the defiler of her peaceful sanctuary.
desecrate	Used when referring to treating a sacred place or object with violent disrespect. This word often has strong cultural or religious implications and is highly negative. Vandals desecrated the church by painting graffiti on the walls. To desecrate the cemetery is to disrespect the memories of the deceased.
violate	Generally used to describe breaking a rule, law, or agreement, or abusing something or someone. This term can be used in legal, personal, and ethical contexts. He was fined for violating the park's regulations. She felt violated when her privacy was invaded.
contaminate	Refers to making something impure or harmful by adding pollutants or undesirable substances. It's commonly used in environmental and health contexts. The river was contaminated by industrial waste. Please ensure the samples are not contaminated during the experiment.

Examples of usage

He defiled the temple by spray painting graffiti on its walls.
The vandals defiled the memorial with their disrespectful actions.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

The term comes from the Old French 'defiler,' meaning to make dirty or to violate.
The root can be traced back to Latin 'defilare,' where 'de-' indicates removal and 'filare' means to thread or to string together.

Literature

In many classic texts, defilers are portrayed as villains who bring chaos and corruption to previously harmonious settings.
The concept of defilement often symbolizes a loss of innocence or purity, frequently explored in gothic and horror literature.

History

Throughout history, various cultures have had rituals or beliefs regarding purity, and defilers were regarded as figures who disrupted societal norms.
In medieval times, defiling the sacred, such as church property, was a serious offense punishable by severe penalties.

Psychology

Defiling can be associated with psychological concepts of degradation and moral corruption, reflecting a deeper fear of losing control over one’s environment.
Studies in moral psychology suggest that perceived defilers can provoke outrage, symbolizing broader societal fears of chaos.

Pop Culture

Defilers often appear in films and TV shows as antagonists who aim to corrupt and destroy, exemplifying the struggle between good and evil.
In several video games, gamers face off against defiler-type characters that symbolize the ultimate threat to their virtual worlds.

Translations

Translations of the word "defiler" in other languages:

🇵🇹 порушник

🇮🇳 अपमानित करने वाला

🇩🇪 Schänder

🇮🇩 penodaan

🇺🇦 осквернитель

🇵🇱 profanator

🇯🇵 冒涜者 (ぼうとくしゃ)

🇫🇷 profanateur

🇪🇸 profanador

🇹🇷 hakaret eden

🇰🇷 모독자

🇸🇦 مُنتهِك

🇨🇿 znesvětitel

🇸🇰 znesvätiteľ

🇨🇳 亵渎者

🇸🇮 skrunilnik

🇮🇸 vanhelgari

🇰🇿 қасиетсiздiк жасаушы

🇬🇪 მუნათებელი

🇦🇿 təhqir edən

🇲🇽 profanador

Word Frequency Rank

At position #41,988, this word is among the less frequently used terms in English. While interesting to know, it's not crucial for most English learners unless needed for specific purposes.

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41985 sloppier
41986 skimpily
41987 mellowest
41988 defiler
41989 minuting
41990 guarani
41991 bullshitter
...