profane
24 synonyms and 3 antonyms for profane, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Adjective — Showing disrespect for sacred or religious things.
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.
blasphemous
Synonyms: vulgar
debased
uncouth
ignoble
lewd
unhallow
debase
debauch
subvert
desecrate
demoralise
demoralize
misdirect
pervert
deprave
Synonyms by Meaning
How to use profane
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
profane language
sacred and profane
Etymology
From Latin profānus, "not sacred," from pro- ("in front of, outside") + fānum ("temple") — literally "outside the temple."
Full origin of profane →Frequently asked questions
What does “profane” mean?
The word “profane” means showing disrespect for sacred or religious things. In plain terms, disrespectful toward sacred things, or simply non-religious.
How do you pronounce “profane”?
“Profane” is pronounced pruh-FAYN (/pɹəˈfeɪn/ in IPA).
How do you use “profane” in a sentence?
Here is “profane” used in a sentence: “He was scolded for making profane jokes in church.”
What is another word for “profane”?
Words with a similar meaning to “profane” include Synonyms: vulgar, inappropriate, obscene, debased, uncouth and offensive.
What is the opposite of “profane”?
The opposite of “profane” — its antonyms — are consecrate and sanctify.
What part of speech is “profane”?
Depending on how it is used, “profane” can be an adjective and a verb.
Where does the word “profane” come from?
The word “profane” comes from Latin. From Latin profānus, "not sacred," from pro- ("in front of, outside") + fānum ("temple") — literally "outside the temple.".
How many meanings does “profane” have?
“Profane” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: showing disrespect for sacred or religious things.
