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
These things could be coincidental, or could, as the main character suggests, be the work of fairies upset that their pools were desecrated in this way.
—
Deborah Treisman, New Yorker, 18 May 2025
The audit also noted a Jewish cemetery in Waterbury that was vandalized with more than 12 gravestones desecrated.
—Sean Krofssik, Hartford Courant, 22 Apr. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for desecrate
Deborah Treisman, New Yorker, 18 May 2025
The audit also noted a Jewish cemetery in Waterbury that was vandalized with more than 12 gravestones desecrated.
—Sean Krofssik, Hartford Courant, 22 Apr. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for desecrate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for desecrate
violate
Verb
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The amendment was inspired by neighboring counties, including Sacramento and Placer, that already instituted hefty fines for violating fireworks ordinances.—
Jack Rodriquez-Vars,
Sacbee.com,
5 June 2025
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But in recent years Maryland has violated the criteria more frequently than any other state.—
Rachel Baye,
NPR,
5 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Desecrate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/desecrate. Accessed 19 Jun. 2025.
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