Synonyms of desecrate

desecrate

verb

ˈde-si-ˌkrāt 

as in to violate

to treat (a sacred place or object) shamefully or with great disrespect

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• violate
• destroy
• defile
• ravage
• demolish
• profane
• ruin
• raid
• insult
• blaspheme
• rob
• contaminate
• pollute
• soil
• taint
• swear
• defame
• offend
• despoil
• affront
• decimate
• plunder
• devastate
• wreck
• curse
• sully
• raze
• desacralize
• annihilate
• poison
• deconsecrate
• desanctify
• sack
• pillage
• befoul
• desolate
• loot
• outrage
• foul
• spoil
• waste
• strip
• ransack
• crush

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• bless
• dedicate
• honor
• consecrate
• sanctify
• respect
• hallow
• purify
• cleanse
• purge

Examples Sentences

Recent Examples of desecrate

And many other mounds were destroyed by amateur archeologists in the last century who desecrated the burial mounds and stole artifacts and human remains. —Frank Vaisvilas, Journal Sentinel, 14 Oct. 2024

Eldest daughter Eda, de facto head of the household, seeks to salvage the compact by desecrating it. —Sarah Yang, Sunset Magazine, 20 Sep. 2024

The lawsuit filed by Garcia and Martin asserted that the construction and operation of the temporary dump has in fact damaged or desecrated such sites by exposing them to toxic material, in violation of Martin’s spiritual practices. —Claire Rush and Jennifer Sinco Kelleher, Los Angeles Times, 8 Sep. 2024

But one night, multiple graves, including that of Karsh’s wife, are desecrated and Karsh looks to track down the perpetrators. —Etan Vlessing, The Hollywood Reporter, 3 Sep. 2019