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Desecrated: meaning, definitions and examples

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desecrated

 

[ ˈdɛsɪkreɪtɪd ]

Verb
Context #1 | Verb

religious context

To desecrate something means to treat it with disrespect or to violate its sanctity. This term is often used in relation to religious sites, objects, or symbols. When something is desecrated, it is often seen as an affront to a community’s beliefs or values. The act can involve vandalism, destruction, or misuse of sacred items, leading to a profound sense of outrage among those who hold these items dear.

Synonyms

defile, profane, sacrilege, violate

Examples of usage

  • The vandals desecrated the ancient temple.
  • He was accused of desecrating the memorial site.
  • The artwork was desecrated with graffiti.
  • They desecrated the graves of fallen soldiers.

Translations

Translations of the word "desecrated" in other languages:

🇵🇹 profanado

🇮🇳 अपमानित

🇩🇪 entweiht

🇮🇩 dinodai

🇺🇦 осквернений

🇵🇱 zbezczeszczony

🇯🇵 冒涜された

🇫🇷 profane

🇪🇸 profanado

🇹🇷 tahkir edilmiş

🇰🇷 모독당한

🇸🇦 مُدنَّس

🇨🇿 znesvěcený

🇸🇰 znesvätený

🇨🇳 亵渎的

🇸🇮 posvečen

🇮🇸 vanhelgaður

🇰🇿 қорланған

🇬🇪 შეურაცხყოფილი

🇦🇿 təhqir edilmiş

🇲🇽 profanado

Etymology

The word 'desecrate' comes from the late Latin word 'desecratus', the past participle of 'desecrāre', which means to 'unhallow'. This Latin term is itself composed of the prefix 'de-' meaning 'away from' and 'sacrare', meaning 'to make sacred'. It emerged in the English language around the early 17th century, primarily used to describe actions that violate sacred places or objects. The historical context often relates to the Reformation and the shifting attitudes towards religious practices and symbols in Europe. Over time, the term has evolved to encompass a broader spectrum of disrespectful acts toward anything held sacred, including cultural and national symbols. Today, it carries a strong connotation of moral and ethical condemnation, reflecting societal values regarding reverence and respect for significant symbols.

Word Frequency Rank

At rank #27,372, this word represents specialized academic or technical vocabulary. It's less frequently encountered but may be valuable in specific contexts.