desecrate

verb

des·​e·​crate ˈde-si-ˌkrāt 

desecrated; desecrating

transitive verb

1

: to violate the sanctity of : profane

desecrate a shrine

a cemetery desecrated by vandals

2

: to treat disrespectfully, irreverently, or outrageously

… the kind of shore development … that has desecrated so many waterfronts …

—John Fischer

desecrater noun

or desecrator

ˈde-si-ˌkrā-tər 

Synonyms

• defile
• profane
• violate

Examples of desecrate in a Sentence

The vandals were accused of desecrating graves.

vandals desecrated the cemetery last night by covering the tombstones with graffiti

Recent Examples on the Web

In the past year, for example, there have been reports of the Israeli military desecrating cemeteries in Gaza, as well as corpses left in the streets for stray dogs to scavenge. —Tyler McBrien, The Dial, 28 Jan. 2025

The symbolism of having the speech in a space desecrated by a small but not insignificant number of Trump supporters on Jan. 6, 2021, has been lost on nobody. —Daniel Fienberg, The Hollywood Reporter, 20 Jan. 2025

One night, multiple graves, including that of Karsh’s wife, are desecrated. —Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 31 Jan. 2025

In addition to raping and murdering his victims, Bundy admitted in his final confessions before his death to desecrating his victims' corpses. —Jessica Sager, People.com, 24 Jan. 2025

Word History

Etymology

de- + -secrate (as in consecrate)

First Known Use

1675, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

desecrate

verb

des·​e·​crate ˈdes-i-ˌkrāt 

desecrated; desecrating

: to treat a sacred place or sacred object shamefully or with great disrespect

desecrater noun

or desecrator

-ˌkrāt-ər 

desecration

ˌdes-i-ˈkrā-shən

noun