sacrilege
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.”
How to use sacrilege
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTreating something sacred or deeply valued with disrespect.
Word forms
sacrileges plural
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
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.
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for sacrilege
See all rhymes for sacrilege →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.