verb
desecrate
DEHS-ih-krayt
verb
1
To treat something sacred with disrespect or damage it in a way that violates its holiness.
"Vandals desecrated the ancient tombs with spray paint."
"The soldiers were accused of desecrating the temple during the raid."
How to Use Desecrate
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo disrespect or damage something that people consider holy or sacred.
Common pairings
desecrate a grave
desecrate a temple
desecrate a flag
Word Forms
more desecrate comparative, desecrated past tense, desecrates singular, most desecrate superlative
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Vandals _____ the ancient tombs with spray paint.
Etymology
Built from de- (reversing or undoing) plus the stem of "consecrate" (to make sacred) — literally "to un-sanctify."