as in to violate
to treat (a sacred place or object) shamefully or with great disrespect
vandals desecrated the cemetery last night by covering the tombstones with graffiti
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Recent Examples of desecrate
Fernandez was charged with first-degree murder, desecrating human remains and multiple weapons crimes.
—
Joseph Wilkinson, New York Daily News, 3 Apr. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for desecrate
Joseph Wilkinson, New York Daily News, 3 Apr. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for desecrate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for desecrate
violate
Verb
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In Minnesota, leaders are bracing for the possibility that Trump will pardon Chauvin, who is serving concurrent state and federal prison sentences for murder, violating Floyd's constitutional rights and other crimes.—
N'dea Yancey-Bragg,
USA Today,
25 May 2025
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The refrigerator was not cold enough and two cats roamed the shop, violating state food code.—
Eleanor Nash,
Kansas City Star,
24 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Desecrate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/desecrate. Accessed 4 Jun. 2025.
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