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Sacrilegious Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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sacrilegious

[ˌsækrɪˈlɛdʒəs ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Adjective

in religion

Showing a lack of respect for a holy place or object

Synonyms

blasphemous, irreverent, profane.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
sacrilegious

Used when describing actions or behaviors that show great disrespect towards something considered sacred or holy.

  • His act of vandalizing the church was considered sacrilegious
  • Wearing a Halloween costume in a consecrated cemetery was seen as a sacrilegious act
blasphemous

Best used when referring to speech or actions that insult or show contempt for religious beliefs or deities. It often carries a strong sense of offense.

  • Her remarks about the religious ceremony were deemed blasphemous
  • Writing offensive graffiti on a temple wall is both illegal and blasphemous
profane

Refers to language or actions that are disrespectful towards religious or holy things, but can also imply general vulgarity or offensiveness.

  • Using profane language in the church is unacceptable
  • The song's lyrics were so profane that they had to be censored
irreverent

Commonly used to describe a lack of respect, often in a humorous or casual way, towards things that are normally taken seriously or are respected.

  • His irreverent jokes about the serious topic made everyone uncomfortable
  • The comedian's irreverent take on political leaders drew mixed reactions

Examples of usage

  • His sacrilegious act of defacing the church shocked the community.
  • She felt guilty for her sacrilegious behavior in the temple.
Context #2 | Adjective

general

Violating something sacred

Synonyms

impious, irreligious, sacreligious.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
sacrilegious

Duplicate entry. Refer to the first listing for context and examples.
sacreligious

Common misspelling of 'sacrilegious'. Not considered a standard word in English.
impious

Describes a lack of proper respect or reverence towards the divine or religious practices, often implying moral wrongdoing.

  • His impious remarks about the church upset many people.
  • Leading an impious life, he never engaged in any religious ceremonies.
irreligious

Refers to a general indifference or lack of concern for religion and religious practices, without necessarily being disrespectful.

  • She was raised in an irreligious household and did not attend church.
  • His irreligious attitude meant he never partook in any religious festivals.

Examples of usage

  • His sacrilegious comments about the national anthem offended many.
  • The destruction of the ancient artifact was considered a sacrilegious act.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Religious Context

  • Many religions have codes of conduct that include what is considered sacrilegious, leading to serious consequences.
  • Acts deemed sacrilegious can include vandalism of places of worship or disrespect towards sacred texts.

Cultural Significance

  • In art history, some pieces have been labeled sacrilegious for depicting religious figures in controversial ways.
  • Satirical humor often challenges sacred beliefs, leading to debates about free expression versus respect for faith.

Legal Aspects

  • In some historical contexts, actions considered sacrilegious could lead to legal punishment, including exile or execution.
  • Modern laws in various countries address hate speech and blasphemy, which may encompass sacrilegious expressions.

Psychology

  • Feeling that something is sacrilegious can invoke strong emotional reactions, including anger or outrage, especially within devout communities.
  • The perception of sacrilege often ties into identity, with individuals feeling a personal stake in protecting their beliefs and values.

Origin of 'sacrilegious'

Main points about word origin

  • The word comes from the Latin 'sacrilegus', which means 'one who steals sacred things'.
  • It combines 'sacer' (sacred) and 'legere' (to steal), reflecting its original meaning related to theft of religious items.

The word 'sacrilegious' originated from the Latin word 'sacrilegium', which means stealing sacred things. It has been used in English since the 17th century to describe actions or behavior that show disrespect or irreverence towards something considered holy or sacred.

See also: sacrilege.

Word Frequency Rank

At rank #25,477, this word represents specialized academic or technical vocabulary. It's less frequently encountered but may be valuable in specific contexts.