desecrate
verb
des·e·crate
ˈde-si-ˌkrāt 
desecrated; desecrating
2
: to treat disrespectfully, irreverently, or outrageously
… the kind of shore development … that has desecrated so many waterfronts …—
John Fischer
John FischerExamples of desecrate in a Sentence
The vandals were accused of desecrating graves.
vandals desecrated the cemetery last night by covering the tombstones with graffiti
Recent Examples on the Web
The reception of the fourth season was colored by the lingering resonance of the Jan. 6 insurrection, by the still vivid image of American landmarks being desecrated by costumed citizens.
—Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 3 Apr. 2025
Unruly tourists have caused traffic jams and public commotions, offended local sensibilities, trashed the environment, and desecrated sacred sites.
—Chad De Guzman, Time, 28 Mar. 2025
Alawite shrines were desecrated, and Qurans burned during the chaotic coastal crackdown.
—Dominique Soguel, Christian Science Monitor, 28 Mar. 2025
Heidi, who was 17 at the time of the killings, was charged with two counts of first-degree murder, one count of conspiracy, and two counts of desecrating a corpse, per state court records.
—Ben Brachfeld, People.com, 27 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for desecrate
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Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 3 Apr. 2025
Unruly tourists have caused traffic jams and public commotions, offended local sensibilities, trashed the environment, and desecrated sacred sites.
—Chad De Guzman, Time, 28 Mar. 2025
Alawite shrines were desecrated, and Qurans burned during the chaotic coastal crackdown.
—Dominique Soguel, Christian Science Monitor, 28 Mar. 2025
Heidi, who was 17 at the time of the killings, was charged with two counts of first-degree murder, one count of conspiracy, and two counts of desecrating a corpse, per state court records.
—Ben Brachfeld, People.com, 27 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for desecrate
Cite this Entry
“Desecrate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/desecrate. Accessed 16 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
desecrate
verb
des·e·crate
ˈdes-i-ˌkrāt
desecrated; desecrating
: to treat a sacred place or sacred object shamefully or with great disrespect
desecration
noun
ˌdes-i-ˈkrā-shən
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