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Desecrating: meaning, definitions and examples

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desecrating

 

[ ˈdɛsɪˌkreɪtɪŋ ]

Verb
Context #1 | Verb

religious context

Desecrating refers to the act of violating or disrespecting something sacred or holy. This can include actions that defile, damage, or destroy religious symbols, places of worship, or rituals. Such acts are often seen as deeply offensive to the belief systems of various communities. Desecration is generally considered a grave offense and can lead to social outrage or legal consequences.

Synonyms

blaspheme, defiling, profaning, violate

Examples of usage

  • The protesters were accused of desecrating the church.
  • He was charged with desecrating a burial site.
  • The vandals desecrated the monument during the night.

Translations

Translations of the word "desecrating" in other languages:

🇵🇹 profanando

🇮🇳 अपमानित करना

🇩🇪 entweihen

🇮🇩 mengotori

🇺🇦 профануючи

🇵🇱 profanując

🇯🇵 冒涜する

🇫🇷 profaner

🇪🇸 profanar

🇹🇷 kutsallığı bozmak

🇰🇷 모독하다

🇸🇦 تدنيس

🇨🇿 zneuctění

🇸🇰 zneuctenie

🇨🇳 亵渎

🇸🇮 profanacija

🇮🇸 virðingarleysi

🇰🇿 құрметсіздік көрсету

🇬🇪 ბრძოლა

🇦🇿 müqayisə etmək

🇲🇽 profanar

Word origin

The word 'desecrate' originates from the Latin 'desecratus', the past participle of 'desecrāre', which means to make unholy. This is composed of 'de-', implying removal or reversal, and 'sacrare', meaning to make sacred, which is derived from 'sacer', meaning sacred or holy. The term evolved through Middle French and Middle English before it took its current form in English usage by the late 16th century. The concept of desecration has been historically significant across cultures, often tied to religious beliefs and practices, highlighting humanity's deep connection to spirituality. As societies have evolved, the term evolved to encompass a broader range of violations against revered objects, places, and symbols, reflecting ongoing tensions between cultural values and the acts seen as disrespectful.

Word Frequency Rank

Ranking #35,692, this word is encountered relatively rarely in everyday English. It might appear in literary works or specialized texts but isn't essential for general communication.