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noun

sacrilege

SAK-rih-lihj
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Sacrilege (noun) means a disrespectful or destructive act against something considered sacred. Example: “Painting graffiti on the ancient shrine was seen as an act of sacrilege.”

noun
1
A disrespectful or destructive act against something considered sacred.
"Painting graffiti on the ancient shrine was seen as an act of sacrilege."
"Some fans consider changing the recipe pure sacrilege."

How to use sacrilege

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishTreating something sacred or deeply valued with disrespect.

Common pairings
commit sacrilege utter sacrilege
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Word forms

Plural
sacrileges
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Fill the gap

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Painting graffiti on the ancient shrine was seen as an act of _____.

Etymology

From Old French sacrilege, from Latin sacrilegium — originally referring to stealing sacred objects.

Origin: Latin

Related words

Rhymes for sacrilege

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Frequently asked questions

What does “sacrilege” mean?
The word “sacrilege” means a disrespectful or destructive act against something considered sacred. In plain terms, treating something sacred or deeply valued with disrespect.
How do you pronounce “sacrilege”?
“Sacrilege” is pronounced SAK-rih-lihj (/ˈsækɹəlɪd͡ʒ/ in IPA).
How do you use “sacrilege” in a sentence?
Here is “sacrilege” used in a sentence: “Painting graffiti on the ancient shrine was seen as an act of sacrilege.”
What is the opposite of “sacrilege”?
The opposite of “sacrilege” — its antonyms — are adoration, reverence, veneration and worship.
What part of speech is “sacrilege”?
“Sacrilege” is a noun.
Where does the word “sacrilege” come from?
The word “sacrilege” comes from Latin. From Old French sacrilege, from Latin sacrilegium — originally referring to stealing sacred objects.

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