desecration

noun

des·​e·​cra·​tion ˌde-si-ˈkrā-shən 

: an act or instance of desecrating : the state of being desecrated

Synonyms

• violation
• blasphemy
• sacrilege
• corruption
• profanation
• cursing
• defilement
• insult

Examples of desecration in a Sentence

the communicants were aghast at the desecration of the altar

Recent Examples on the Web

Stringer/Sputnik via AP What To Know Broadly desecration of a flag refers to any action that damages or disrespects it—such as burning it, urinating or defecating on it, defacing it, stepping on it, damaging it with stones or bullets, cutting or ripping it and many others. —Jasmine Laws, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 Aug. 2025

That flag desecration is protected by the First Amendment doesn’t diminish the emotional charge of seeing one burned. —Laurie Kellman, Chicago Tribune, 26 Aug. 2025

He was charged with violating a Texas law for desecration of a venerated object. —Zachary Folk, Forbes.com, 26 Aug. 2025

The decision upheld a Texas Court of Appeals ruling that reversed Gregory Lee Johnson’s conviction under a Texas law banning flag desecration. —Brieanna J. Frank, USA Today, 26 Aug. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1717, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for desecration

• abdication
• aberration
• abjuration
• abnegation
• abrogation
• acceptation
• acclamation
• acclimation
• accusation
• activation
• actuation
• acylation