consecrated
7 synonyms and 3 antonyms for consecrated, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Adjective — Formally declared sacred and set apart for religious use.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Synonyms by Meaning
1. adjective
Formally declared sacred and set apart for religious use.
“He was buried in consecrated ground.”
Opposites
How to Use Consecrated
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Religious and formal; the figurative sense of devoting something entirely to a cause is literary.
Etymology
From Latin consecrare "to make sacred", from con- (intensive) and sacrare "to dedicate", from sacer "sacred".
Full origin of consecrated →Frequently Asked Questions
What is consecrated ground?
It is land, usually a churchyard or part of a cemetery, that has been formally blessed and set apart for burial according to a religious rite. Historically some churches refused burial there to people outside the faith, and the phrase still carries that weight in literature.
What is the difference between consecrated and blessed?
A blessing asks for favour or protection and can be given to almost anything, from a meal to a fishing fleet. Consecration is a formal, usually once-only act that permanently sets a person, building or object apart for sacred use. All consecration involves blessing; not all blessing consecrates.
Can a church be unconsecrated?
Yes. When a church is closed or sold for another use, many denominations hold a service of deconsecration, formally releasing the building from sacred use so it can become a home, a shop or a concert hall.