Sacrilege: meaning, definitions and examples

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sacrilege

[ˈsakrɪlɪdʒ ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Noun}

religious act

Violation or misuse of what is considered sacred or holy.

Synonyms

blasphemy, desecration, profanity.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
sacrilege	Used when referring to a violation or disrespect of something considered sacred or holy. Defacing a religious monument would be considered sacrilege Speaking disrespectfully in a sacred place can be seen as sacrilege
profanity	Refers to vulgar, irreverent, or obscene language. It may not always relate to religious disrespect but includes offensive speech in general. Using swear words in front of children is considered profanity His speech was full of profanity, which shocked the audience
desecration	This term typically refers to the act of defiling or showing great disrespect towards something sacred or highly valued. Vandalizing a grave is an act of desecration Destroying a holy book can be called desecration
blasphemy	Often used in a religious context to describe disrespectful speech or actions towards a deity or sacred things. Saying something offensive about a religion's god is considered blasphemy Publicly criticizing religious beliefs in a harsh way might be seen as blasphemy

Examples of usage

Sacrilege is often considered a serious offense in many religions.
Committing sacrilege can lead to excommunication from the church.

^{Context #2 | Noun}

general

An act of disrespect towards something regarded as sacred or inviolable.

Synonyms

defilement, insult, irreverence.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
sacrilege	Refer to actions that show deep disrespect toward something holy or sacred. It often involves physical acts against religious objects or places. Vandalizing a church or temple is considered an act of sacrilege. Stealing sacred relics from a shrine is an unforgivable sacrilege.
irreverence	Describes a generally disrespectful attitude toward things that are usually taken seriously or regarded with respect, such as traditions or beliefs. His irreverence for traditional values often shocked the older generation. The comedian's irreverence toward political leaders received mixed reactions.
defilement	Describe actions that pollute or spoil something pure or sacred. This term can be used in both religious and secular contexts. The industrial waste led to the defilement of the once-pristine river. Burning sacred texts is seen as a defilement of religious beliefs.
insult	Used when referring to words or actions that show disrespect or scorn towards someone or something. It is often personal and direct. Calling someone names in public is a form of insult. Painting graffiti on someone's car is taken as a personal insult.

Examples of usage

Some people view any criticism of their favorite sports team as sacrilege.
Disposing of a national flag improperly is seen as sacrilege in many countries.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

The word comes from the Latin 'sacrilegium,' where 'sacer' means sacred and 'legere' means to steal, indicating stealing from the sacred.
It first appeared in English in the late 14th century, used primarily in religious contexts.

Religion

Many religions view sacrilege as a serious offense that can lead to divine punishment.
In Christianity, desecrating holy objects or places is often considered a gravely sinful act.
The concept is present in various forms in many religions, from Hinduism to Islam, emphasizing the reverence of sacred spaces.

Cultural Significance

Throughout history, acts of sacrilege have led to significant social and political movements, challenging the status quo.
Artistic expressions often riff on sacrilege, using shocking imagery to critique societal norms.
Cultural taboos surrounding sacrilegious actions can vary widely across different societies and eras.

Legal Perspectives

In some countries, legal systems historically contained laws against sacrilegious acts, reflecting the intertwining of religion and governance.
Modern laws may still address sacrilege in terms of hate crimes or vandalism, protecting religious sentiments.

Psychology

Breaking taboos like sacrilege can evoke strong emotional responses, such as anger or outrage, often due to deeply held beliefs.
Studies suggest that individuals who commit sacrilegious acts may experience a conflict between their actions and societal norms.

Translations

Translations of the word "sacrilege" in other languages:

🇵🇹 sacrilegio

🇮🇳 पाप

🇩🇪 Sakrileg

🇮🇩 sacrilege

🇺🇦 сакрилегія

🇵🇱 sakrileż

🇯🇵 冒涜

🇫🇷 sacrilege

🇪🇸 sacrilegio

🇹🇷 kutsala hakaret

🇰🇷 신성모독

🇸🇦 تدنيس

🇨🇿 sacrilegium

🇸🇰 sacrilegium

🇨🇳 亵渎

🇸🇮 sacrilegij

🇮🇸 sacrilege

🇰🇿 құдайға тіл тигізу

🇬🇪 წმიდათა შელახვა

🇦🇿 müqəddəsliyi pozma

🇲🇽 sacrilegio

Word Frequency Rank

Positioned at #22,093, this word is part of extensive vocabulary. It's relatively rare in general usage but may be important in specific fields or formal writing.

...
22090 unassuming
22091 flagging
22092 pervert
22093 sacrilege
22094 studiously
22095 ascendant
22096 stockade
...