desecrate
/'desikreit/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- Verb:
- To treat a sacred place or object with violent disrespect: To damage, defile, or violate the holiness of something considered sacred or holy.
- To remove the sacred or consecrated status from: To profane something that was once dedicated to a religious purpose.
Usage
- The verb "desecrate" is transitive and requires a direct object (e.g., a place, an object, a memory).
- It is typically used in contexts involving religion, sacred sites, graves, or revered symbols.
- It carries a very strong negative connotation, implying a serious and offensive act.
Examples
- Vandals desecrated the ancient temple by spray-painting graffiti on its walls.
- It is a crime to desecrate a national flag or a war memorial.
- The archaeologist was accused of desecrating the burial site by removing artifacts.
Advanced Usage
- "to desecrate the memory of": To act in a way that shows profound disrespect for someone who has died or for a past event.
- Building a commercial complex on the battlefield would desecrate the memory of the soldiers who fell there.
Variants and Related Words
- Desecration (n): The act of desecrating something.
- The desecration of the cemetery shocked the local community.
- Desecrator (n): A person who desecrates something.
Synonyms
- Profane: To treat (something sacred) with abuse, irreverence, or contempt.
- Defile: To make unclean or impure, especially in a ceremonial or moral sense.
- Violate: To break or fail to comply with (a rule or formal agreement); to treat with disrespect.
- Debase: To reduce (something) in quality or value; to degrade. (Used more broadly, but can apply in this context.)
Antonyms
- Consecrate: To make or declare something sacred.
- Sanctify: To set apart as or declare holy; consecrate.
- Revere: To feel deep respect or admiration for (something).
- Venerate: To regard with great respect; to revere.
Idioms and Common Phrases
- While there are no common idioms using "desecrate" as the core verb, the concept is central to phrases like:
- "an act of desecration": Refers to a specific instance of desecrating.
- "desecrate hallowed ground": A common collocation emphasizing the violation of deeply sacred land (e.g., a cemetery, a memorial).
Verb
- remove the consecration from a person or an object
- violate the sacred character of a place or language
- desecrate a cemetery
- violate the sanctity of the church
- profane the name of God