1
as in temporal
not involving religion or religious matters
it was hard to juggle the requirements of church and our more profane duties
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2
as in atheistical
not showing proper reverence for the holy or sacred
offended by the profane language that her coworkers used so casually
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3
as in obscene
depicting or referring to sexual matters in a way that is unacceptable in polite society
his idea of dinner table conversation is the telling of profane stories about his alleged sexual exploits
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1
as in to corrupt
to lower in character, dignity, or quality
the once-lovely landscape had been profaned by ugly factories
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2
as in to misuse
to put to a bad or improper use
profaned his considerable acting talents by appearing in some wretched movies
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3
as in to violate
to treat (a sacred place or object) shamefully or with great disrespect
invading troops profaned the altar by playing poker on it
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Examples Sentences
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Recent Examples of profane
Judy Berman, TIME, 2 Oct. 2024
Scheuer allegedly hacked into Disney’s menu creation servers multiple times to manipulate and disrupt the menus, such as changing prices and adding profane language.
—John Towfighi, CNN, 30 Oct. 2024
Federico Finchelstein, The New Republic, 3 Nov. 2020
The following day, Pope Francis spoke out against violence toward women during his New Year’s Day homily in St. Peter’s Basilica, equating it to profaning God, according to the Associated Press.
—Josiah Bates, Time, 1 Jan. 2020
See all Example Sentences for profane 
Adjective
Brown’s experience working on some of TV’s most imaginatively profane shows is evident throughout the series.
—Judy Berman, TIME, 2 Oct. 2024
Scheuer allegedly hacked into Disney’s menu creation servers multiple times to manipulate and disrupt the menus, such as changing prices and adding profane language.
—John Towfighi, CNN, 30 Oct. 2024
Verb
The narrative is that of a leader who has experienced vilification at the hands of enemies who are both secular (and thus profane) and intensely demonic.
—Federico Finchelstein, The New Republic, 3 Nov. 2020
The following day, Pope Francis spoke out against violence toward women during his New Year’s Day homily in St. Peter’s Basilica, equating it to profaning God, according to the Associated Press.
—Josiah Bates, Time, 1 Jan. 2020
See all Example Sentences for profane
Recent Examples of Synonyms for profane
Adjective
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Murphy probably shouldn’t have returned to such close geographic and temporal proximity to the tremendous The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story — and, indeed, the two shows have many points of overlap, all of which favor American Crime Story.Daniel Fienberg, The Hollywood Reporter, 20 Sep. 2024
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Additionally, temporal control techniques like pausing before responding or speaking at a moderate pace can demonstrate thoughtfulness and composure.Cheryl Robinson, Forbes, 31 Oct. 2024
Adjective
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Its upper reaches are the playground for obscene displays of wealth.Letters To The Editor, The Mercury News, 9 Nov. 2024
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Racist and obscene comments from some of the event’s early speakers were clipped and flagged by popular X users like @Acyn and Aaron Rupar.Brian Stelter, CNN, 28 Oct. 2024
Verb
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State institutions decay, and get corrupted into patronage.Melik Kaylan, Forbes, 30 Oct. 2024
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However, the dwarves are nowhere to be found by the end of the episode, as King Durin III (Peter Mullan) has been corrupted and brainwashed by his ring of power.Jordan Moreau, Variety, 26 Sep. 2024
Verb
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Risk factors for systolic heart failure include having a history of smoking, misusing alcohol or drugs, and being overweight or obese.8 Diagnosis Healthcare providers can diagnose systolic congestive heart failure using your medical history, performing a physical exam, and running some tests.Alexandria Nyembwe, PhD, RN, Health, 4 Nov. 2024
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Race and ethnicity are used to categorize Americans often, but according to the report, these categories can be misused in scientific analyses.Kaan Ozcan, CNN, 30 Oct. 2024
Verb
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The law also allows law enforcement to issue a notice of noncompliance when autonomous vehicles violate local traffic ordinances.Tribune News Service, The Mercury News, 7 Nov. 2024
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Remaining open until 8 p.m. would also violate a section of the state constitution that sets voting times, the judge added.Marina Johnson, The Courier-Journal, 5 Nov. 2024
Adjective
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Separated a documentary film directed by Errol Morris Adam Kirsch In Search of Fullness In his new book, the philosopher Charles Taylor looks at modern poetry as a unique record of spiritual experience in a secular age.Erin Maglaque, The New York Review of Books, 15 Nov. 2024
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The analysts said electricity demand is entering an era of secular growth driven by electrical infrastructure investments over the coming years.Paulina Likos, CNBC, 5 Nov. 2024
Adjective
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Married to Stanley, a man of carnal appetites and vulgar manners, Stella has embraced the crude pleasures of realism, while her freeloading sister still clings to tattered aristocratic illusions.Charles McNulty, Los Angeles Times, 4 Nov. 2024
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Trump was heard bragging in vulgar terms about women.Alena Botros, Fortune, 4 Nov. 2024
Verb
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Here's Why the Election May Already Be Over | Opinion Donald Trump has spent his entire adult life objectifying, demeaning, and degrading women.Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 31 Oct. 2024
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Bras made from cotton or wool are more sustainable and degrade much faster.Julia Ries, Outside Online, 31 Oct. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near profane
Cite this Entry
“Profane.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/profane. Accessed 21 Nov. 2024.
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