sacred
7 synonyms and 3 antonyms for sacred, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Adj — Regarded as holy and worthy of deep religious reverence.
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.
Antonyms
How to use sacred
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
sacred ground
sacred tradition
hold something sacred
Etymology
From Middle English sacred, the past participle of sacren, "to make holy."
Full origin of sacred →Frequently asked questions
What does “sacred” mean?
The word “sacred” means regarded as holy and worthy of deep religious reverence. In plain terms, holy, or treated as too important to mess with.
How do you pronounce “sacred”?
“Sacred” is pronounced SAYK-rihd (/ˈseɪkɹɪd/ in IPA).
How do you use “sacred” in a sentence?
Here is “sacred” used in a sentence: “The temple grounds are considered sacred by the local community.”
What is the opposite of “sacred”?
The opposite of “sacred” — its antonyms — are cursed and damned.
What part of speech is “sacred”?
“Sacred” is an adjective.
Where does the word “sacred” come from?
The word “sacred” comes from Middle English. From Middle English sacred, the past participle of sacren, "to make holy.".
Is “sacred” a common word?
“Sacred” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “sacred” have?
“Sacred” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: regarded as holy and worthy of deep religious reverence.
What is the difference between "sacred" and "holy"?
The words overlap and are often interchangeable. "Holy" tends to emphasise divine purity and a direct link to God or religion. "Sacred" emphasises being set apart and worthy of deep reverence, which can also apply to things treated as too important to violate, even outside religion.
What is the difference between "sacred" and "profane"?
They are opposites. "Sacred" describes what is holy and worthy of religious reverence, while "profane" describes what is secular, ordinary, or disrespectful toward what is holy. The pairing "the sacred and the profane" contrasts the divine with the worldly.
What is the difference between "sacred" and "sacrosanct"?
"Sacrosanct" is a stronger, more emphatic word, describing something so protected that it must never be interfered with or criticised. "Sacred" can mean the same thing in its non-religious sense but also carries the religious meaning of holy and revered.
